| By Vivian Tyson, Senior SUN Editor |
Premier for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing is calling on Islanders not to rejoice in the wak of the apprehension of former premier Michael Misick last week by Interpol agents in Reo de Janeiro, Brazil, but rather wish for a fair trial if it comes to that, and pray that justice takes its course. Dr. Ewing was pressed to weigh in on the matter during a post cabinet news conference in Providenciales on Thursday, December 13. He told media practitioners that his administration could only wish for a fear trial and that the former premier would be treated with respect if and when he is brought back to the Turks and Caicos to face allegation of corruption.
“We do, like a government, as any other citizen, wish him god-speed and may justice prevail that he may have a fair trial and he is treated fairly, and may the justice system prevail. That is what we hope for. It is unfortunate, and this is not a time for any of us within Turks and Caicos to rejoice. Our heart as a government and our hearts as a people will go out to individuals (in such situations), and at the same time justice has to prevail and let justice run its course,” Premier Ewing urged.
Asked as to whether or not his government was notified of Misick’s arrest, Ewing answered in the negative, but stated that no one had to inform him or his administration of such a matter, since it was out of their purview.
“There is the executive, there is the legislature and there is the judiciary. And this is out of the hands of the executive arm and the legislative arm of government. This matter is for the judiciary, so there is no need for us to be informed of anything or plan for anything because it is not our intention, as a government, to interfere in any way. It is a matter for the judiciary, and they should always maintain their independence, always,” he emphasized.
Misick, is currently awaiting an extradition hearings after he was arrested in the Brazilian capital by that country’s Federal Police on the morning of Friday, December 7. Officials said he was attempting to board a domestic flight at the Santos Dumond Airport.
His arrest stemmed from an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol and further warrant issued by Brazilian Supreme Court, according to the TCI Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT).
Misick, who was TCI’s first Premier, faces a number of what deemed to be serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration here.
It has been reported that Misick’s arrest warrant was decreed by the Minister Ricardo Levandowsky, of Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court, on November 22, based on the request made by the UK Government.
Head of Interpol in Rio de Janeiro, Orlando Nunes, told a news conference at the headquarters of the Federal Police in Rio that Interpol in Brazil was following Misick for about six months.
A statement issued by Governor’s spokesman Neil Smith said that the UK authorities are grateful to their Brazilian counterparts for their cooperation are now seeking Misick extradition to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
