MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
BOT Turks and Caicos former premier extradited from Brazil to face corruption charges
Misick is accused of money laundering, bribery and misuse of government land The former premier of the British Overseas Territory Turks and Caicos has been extradited back to the territory to face corruption charges, officials said Tuesday. Michael Misick arrived at JAGS McCartney International Airport in the capital Grand Turk early Tuesday from Brazil, the Turks and Caicos Islands Governor's Office said.
”The UK Government welcomes the arrival of former Premier Michael Misick in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to face a number of serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration during his time in office,“ the statement said.
”They are most grateful to the Brazilian authorities for their swift handling of TCI's extradition request.“
Misick had applied for refugee status in Brazil, alleging political persecution by British authorities over his efforts to promote possible independence for his Caribbean homeland.
Interpol issued a ”red notice“ warrant against Misick, who is being probed by British authorities for corruption in 2012.
Misick resigned in 2009 following a corruption scandal in which he was accused of money laundering and bribery in the British overseas territory.
Britain reassumed direct control of the islands in August of the same year after declaring corruption to be ”endemic.”
Much of the alleged wrongdoing centered on misuse of government land. Politicians and their associates were accused of obtaining parcels at heavily discounted prices then selling them to foreign developers at a profit.
According to the Turks and Caicos SUN Misick was denied bail by the Magistrate’s Court in Grand Turk. The newspaper added that an appeal is to be lodged by his lawyers in the Supreme Court as soon as possible to have him released from custody at the earliest possible time.
The former premier is reported to have kissed the ground when he arrived in the country from Brazil on Tuesday.
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Read all commentsRemind you of any other country, at least the UK actively seek out the corrupt politicians and bring them before a court of law. Then justice can be done.I have to say unlike most South American countries.
Jan 08th, 2014 - 11:19 am 0@1 I agree with you. Let's centre on it. “misuse of government land. Politicians and their associates were accused of obtaining parcels at heavily discounted prices then selling them to foreign developers at a profit.” Of course, the place you're thinking of didn't sell to foreign developers. That we know of. Didn't it get built on? With hotels. So it could carry on making money. And now we know why Britain took back direct control of the Turks & Caicos. Because, in accordance with the UN Charter, Britain is responsible for good and honest governance. The UN and the people of the Turks & Caicos put their trust in Britain. Let's see what an independent court has to say about Misick's claims of political persecution. Incidentally, should we note Interpol's red notice? And Brazil's speedy extradition. Don't Interpol and Brazil require, at the least, prima facie evidence? Curiously, Britain has never objected to independence. When places were ready and could survive. And that's why Britain will never “back off” on the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. Argieland and Spain should note that. No British territory seeking independence has been “taken” by a foreign country in the last 200 years. And has argieland or spain shown that level of responsibility?
Jan 08th, 2014 - 05:18 pm 0@2
Jan 08th, 2014 - 05:57 pm 0Do you think that there is ONE politician in SA NOT sticking his nose in the trough? I suppose if truth were known, if I lived in SA I would probably do the same, but thank God i don't.
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