Michael Misick arrested

| 07/12/2012

michael_misick_books.jpg(CNS): International fugitive and former premier of the Turks and Caicos’ Islands (TCI), Michael Misick, was arrested this morning (Friday 7 December) at the Santos Dumond airport in Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian Federal Police. The TCI Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) confirmed that he was arrested as result of an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol and a further warrant issued by Brazilian Supreme Court. Misick faces a number of serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration in TCI, a British Overseas Territory. His arrest was sought in relation to an ongoing investigation by the SIPT into issues arising from Sir Robin Auld’s 2008-09 Commission of Inquiry relating to alleged corruption and maladministration.

In a release issued by the TCI Governor’s Office, the UK authorities said they were grateful to their Brazilian counterparts for their cooperation are now seeking Misick’s extradition to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

As the former premier was born in a British Overseas Territory he is receiving British consular assistance, the release stated, but added that no other comment or details would be given at this time.

In March this year Misick issued a statement saying that he had applied for political asylum from “another country”. Although it was not known where he was at the time or which country he had sought political asylum from, he claimed that he could not expect to get a fair hearing in his native country. Misick said he was being politically persecuted because of his plan to move the country towards independence and accused the UK interim government of changing laws in an attempt to convict him and his political colleagues and supporters.

At the time Misick described the investigation as a “set-up for a modern-day John Crow political lynching”, and said he would not be a part of it. “I have therefore sought protection from another country in accordance with the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the human rights laws of that country, as it is my right to do and the right of any person that is being politically persecuted,” he stated. “I am not a fugitive, and will never be a fugitive. I have applied for political asylum from another country and I am merely seeking protection from political persecution.”

The UK suspended the TCI constitution in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry and imposed direct rule for three years. However, despite the investigations into alleged corruption by Misick and others in the Progressive National Party, of which he was leader, the PNP returned to power in the first elections following the restoration of the TCI constitution and democracy. PNP Leader Dr Rufus Ewing was sworn in as the new premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands on 13 November.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    For those posting below that there is no extradition treeaty betwen the UK and Brazil see below:

    http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/3706546/Bilatextradition

    The problem in the Biggs extradition case was not the lack of a treaty but that the Brazilian court ruled that because Biggs' crime was committed more than 20 years ago he could not be extradited under Brazilian law. No such problem with Misick.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/12/newsid_2518000/2518275.stm

     

  2. Anonymous says:

    Arresting Michael Misick on an International Warrant is one thing, but will/can the courts in Brazil extradite him to British soil. 

    Do you all remember the "Great Train Robbery in the UK" ?? Which country did the robber's flee to ?? To Brazil……….. and the UK couldn't touch them. I'm not saying that Misick isn't corrupt but he certainly no fool. He did his home work in my opinion.  

    • Anon says:

      And the Great Train Robbery was in the 1960s when extradition treaties were in their infancy. Trust me, the first thing that happened after Ronnie Biggs went to Brazil was that the extradition laws were tighened – especially between the UK and Brazil. In fact I believe some fairly robust laws are now in place, but they could not be made retroactive in order to get Biggs….but you can be sure this clown has it coming to him.

    • just so you know says:

      If I remember correctly the train robber had been living in  Brazil for years unbeknown to the British Government and had actually married to a Brazilian had a family and had obtained citizenship in the country, thus de difficulty in getting him extradited.

    • Anonymous says:

      UK does have an extradition treaty with Brazil  (1997) Ronnie Bigg's extradition was refused,however, he did return to the UK.

    • Anonymous says:

      Don't worry about Misick's arrest in Brazil, worry about the wider implications that this will have even here in Cayman.  Don't rejoice too much or too soon because this tree has deep roots and the UK is about to dig it all up.  The UK is about to stamp out corruption in its terrorities and the sooner the better.  I hate to see the leader of any country being disgraced and arrested but this should send a message.   All of the people that encourage the corruption of these leaders must also face the same punishment and the consequences should be even greater. 

  3. Anonymous says:

    Soooooooooooo. Who is gonna take care of Kiwis hidden fortune now that Misick is in the can. Just wondered.

  4. Anonymous says:

    And his hands were clean and his heart was pure!

  5. Philo the Philosopher says:

    Guess who is next in line for new bangles? YUP! You guessed it.

  6. Anonymous says:

    What about his pupil in Cayman?  Don't you want him too?  

  7. Stormmy says:

    I suspect he was told to step out or be taken out

    Ya kno he wasnt going to give up that opportunity to have his hands our the country's cash

    flow and the opportunity to dictate and control and give-away as he please.

    Ya kno sum'ting significantly BIG happened to him, to trigger that type of "back-down &

    back-off" approach.

    I waitn for the dynanite to go off,,,,,,for the big explosion to happen.

     

  8. Just Askin' says:

    Are his hands clean and his heart pure?

  9. Anonymous says:

    People need to know history to understand their politicians. It wasn't too long ago that political leaders in the Caribbean were vehemently anti-English. The same verbage applied "They want to dictate to us." "They don't understand us." They want to destory our way of life". What was the issue? The abolition of slavery. What more proof do us black people need to understand that sometimes the English get it right? Where would be if our politicians won the day?

    • Stiffed-Necked Fool says:

      Oh Lawd, I hear Caymanian knees knocking all the way from London!

    • Look Yah! says:

      Yea, but look yah, dis man naw going down alone, he going talk and now my friends here in Cayman are seemingly going to the bathroom very often, seems dey belly running plenty!

    • Y U T E says:

      Read the comments made by Misick in this article & it sounds just like comments made by the Cayman Islands premier. Misick claims the UK were out to get him because of his move towards independence & his fight with the FCO & UK government. Sound familiar?

    • Whodatis says:

      Is this a joke, or is someone on troll duty this evening?

       

      • Anonymous says:

        You have to love the pot calling the kettle black!

      • Whodatis says:

        Oh dear, have I upset the room?

        πŸ™‚

      • Anonymous says:

        Perhaps a little perspective will help you: "The House of Assembly rejected the British Parliament's proposals for purging slavery of its cruellest features, and in February 1831 reduced from three to two the number of days' holiday the slavers were entitled to at Christmas. The planters angrily denounced the British Government around their dining tables and in their newspapers. At public meetings in many parishes they abused the British Government for planning to dreprive them of their property, for delivering them "over to the enemies of our country", for throwing them "as a prey before the misguided savages."

        One would hope you could see the similarities in rhetoric between the planters/assemblies of yesteryear and our modern day politicians. Keep in mind, the vote, in those days was limited to a few, so the fearmongering was concentrated.  That's not a far stretch from what we have today which increases the similarity of tactics. Today expats arent portraited as "modern day savages" ahd the FCO as the enemy to local ambitions. Of course, local ambitions really means those of select few politicians and their pockets. Time may change my friend, but men in power do not.

         

         

         

    • Anonymous says:

      "You can hide out for a while he said with a smile, but you can't out run the long arm of the law."

    • Anonymous says:

      Bring race into this shows how little you know of Caymans History. Most Cayamians have both Negro and Caucasian decent. I don’t see the black professionals from the UK treating us any different than the white. Keep your focus we as the “Native People” need to stick together and not tolerate abuse and corruption of our leaders. That’s our greatest failing many of us sell out to the detriment of our fellow indigenous people. Hates respond as I know you will but I am a son of this soil not imported and proud of it.

      • Anonymous says:

        descent

      • anonymous says:

        My dear Bobo in the eyes of the world we still black,you do not hear dem refer to Barak as the first mixed race president do you? no Bobo they refer to him as the first African American prez, Bobo i am also a Caymanian of African and European ancestry but after living in the U.S. for several years my African side is at the forefront ,i know its not fair and nothing but ignorance but Bobo thats just how it is!

    • Empty Chair says:

      Oh oh, I know one Caymanian who is messing their pants right now, & who will not be visiting Rio anytime soon!

    • ANONYMITY says:

      Hope you're still around when  Britain gets it's first "BLACK"  Prime Minister!  But don't hold your breath. Oh so you'll know in future! The word is "VERBIAGE" 

  10. Anonymous says:

    I wondered nwhen this would end for our Premier's buddy and how long it will take for them to finish his audit and do what they should have done already.  Thanks to what has been happening in our little country, the Department that takes care of the poor, sick and indigent Caymanians is so broke that they cannot even supply their clients with incintinence supplies.  Imagine and our premier has been off on another big trip with his entourage, which is being charged to the Cayman Islands and we cannot even buy food to feed our families.

  11. Baldric says:

    Hear it on the Marl Road that  two new passports been issued in a hurry … one for a Mr Fray Bentos and another, with a mighty similar photo to the first one, for a Mr Yu No Catchee.

  12. Whodatis says:

    Tsk, tsk, tsk … poor Mikey.

    Did you not learn anything from the mother country?

    Ma boy … as Premier you should have blatantly lied to the masses, made up bogus claims of WMD's, evicted internationally commissioned weapons inspectors, illegally invaded a sovereign country (on the basis of said lies), killed a few hundred thousand innocent men, women and children (after all – who cares … they were not White or Christian). Most importantly, done all in the name of political corruption fueled not only by the greed of money but by power and (Western) diplomatic "respect" as well.

    (Too hardcore? In that case you also had the 'light' option of selling access to yourself to wealthy businessmen at £250,000.00 a pop.)

    Had you done so you would have now been sitting pretty on the board of an oil company or going on world tours, selling books, staying at the Ritz Carlton Cayman and knocking about tennis balls with the legends.

    The (western) international (political) community turns a blind eye to such things – you neva heard awah?!

    The people would have been lining up to have their photo taken with you. Middle-aged women would be reaching to the back of their closets for their girdles, fresh from the hair and nail salon. Retired men would be gathered like sick puppy-dogs for an opportunity to shake the hand of greatness … yes, your hand, Mikey! As for the younger ladies … we know how that goes. Even Lisa Raye would have been jealous to the point of starting another fistfight. Oh the possibilities, Mike.

    Anyway, what youare accused of is so 80's and 90's of you … you really ought to get with the times buddy. Look at yourself, locked in handcuffs and being paraded in front of the media in South America.

    Better luck next time, buddy.

    Sincerely,

    Whodatis

     

    • Anonymous says:

      I read this twice just to assure myself that I hadn't missed something and that is 90 seconds that I have lost forever. The only thing that I can be sure of is the author is off his medication and not tracking the conversation all that well.

      I hope for the people of T & C that the allegedly corrupt politician gets his day in court and justice is served, perhaps he might want to read the contribution by Whodatis as part of his defense, but I would not recomment it. If found guilty then let the court decide appropiate punishment, if innocent then why go to Brazil?

    • Anonymous says:

      And he truly does mean sincerely

    • Albatross says:

      As always with you, the sins of the UK are used to excuse virtually anything else done.  Why are you not outraged by a man who stole his people's patrimony for his personal enrichment? What does the UK, or as seems to be the case with your post, Tony Blair's, actions or the UK's colonialism have to do with that.  And whatever you may say about Blair – personally I think he is a charlatan and morally beyond redemption – at least he didnt bite a chunk out of his wife (Lisa Raye started "a fist fight", right?)!   And absent action by the UK, do you think Misick would have been brought to account at all?  Or is that the problem – it offends you that it took the UK to do something – the local governance system and the local electorate completely powerless or indifferent  – and that's what really ticks you off.  

      • Whodatis says:

        I did not deflect a single thing.

        I simply offered some helpful diplomatic advice to Mr. Misick, as it appears he is unaware of the way the world works today.

        As for being ticked off … that appears to be your situation at the moment.

        Why would I be ticked off … after all – its only the UK we are talking about – not worth it I'm afraid. Too much flip-flopping and hypocrisy to be respected or taken seriously.

    • Anonymous says:

      Whodatis, that's one of the best descriptions of Tony Bliar I've ever seen πŸ™‚

      • Whodatis says:

        Thanks, but I suspect that is simply because it is the God's honest truth.

        Interestingly, many of us wish to ignore certain truths as it flies in the face of the efforts by certain entities to disburse judgement and justice upon others.

        Honestly, being sent to the naughty corner by certain entities is like being disciplined by a known and self-confessed serial killer or rapist.

        Absolutely meaningless, and only serves to stroke the egos of the insecure.

        (Consider the corn thrown … but take note, no chicken was called. We know what comes next though … )

    • Pitt the Even Younger says:

      When in doubt deflect.

  13. Pit Bull says:

    I have my suspicions about the prospects of a TCI jury doing the right thing.  Surely there is a crime or two he could be charged with in the UK instead?  How about flying him to the States – there must have been a wire or two.

    • Anonymous says:

      Just look up info on the Smokey Trial back in the 90's and your suspicions will be confirmed

    • WHAT A JOKE says:

      Why would Brazil extradite him – they let the British “Great Tain Robber ” Ronald Biggs live there for years. If they didn’t have an extradition Treaty with UK – doubt they have one with TCI.

    • Anonymous says:

      The jury voted a few months ago and return this man’s party to power.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Guess Mac won't be going to Rio carnival next year…..whew, at least one trip expense from government coffers saved…only another 200 countries to get off the list!!

  15. Anonymous says:

    For a price Mac will offer his old pal asylum at the Ritz?

    • Anonymous says:

      Whoa… just a minute now. It's not a "price" it's a real estate "bill". Or as some others in the party have said it's not a "lie" it's more of a "plan" or a "scheme". It's the UDP way!

  16. Big whopper says:

    Birds of feather…Oh forget it..makes no sense…

  17. Cheese Face says:

    Could this is why keewa won't be running for premier again? Perhaps he'll be concentrating on another kind of running.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Now if they would just arrest what's his name on his way to China.

  19. Bling man says:

    It look lak Brazil nah good for you mistah premier.  Mebbe you try Argintinah.

  20. Anonymous says:

    OH OH… And now the sea will tell, fallout here in Cayman and Jamaica, if you get my meaning. Let the chips fall where they may.

  21. YoungLady says:

    Well looky here! Bushy, that’ll be you next! πŸ˜€

    • Anonymous says:

      We can only hope and pray…

    • Anynomous says:

      Young Lady, sorry Pal  to dissapoint you but they have nothing against McKeeva Bush.

      It is so sad that you all do not realize that Bush does not need anything from you all, he only want what is right for the people of Cayman.  Can't touch him.   He is saved by grace, and when God is for you, no man can rise against you.

      • Anonymous says:

        Time longer dan rope, my friend. Maybe you should ask your pastor to give us back our two million. That is what is right for Cayman.

      • Turtle's Head says:

        The terrifying thing about democracy is that you can't stop the idiots voting.

      • Anonymous says:

        Mmm. Care to revisit your words today, or are you still too stupid to see?

  22. Anonymous says:

    You can run but you cant hide forever, crime never pays and it always comes back to bite you right in the butt when least expecting ! 

  23. Knot S Smart says:

    Reel em in…

    Others had better take warning and confess their sins, wash their hands clean, and purify their hearts, before it is too late…

    You can run but you will get caught and brought back to your own country to face the consequences of your abuse of power…

  24. Anonymous says:

    Bet this makes Mckeeva nervous

  25. Waskly Wabbit says:

    Oh dear me…  Who is Big Mac gonna bunk with when he goes on the run???

  26. Anonymous says:

    Bumbo! It’s on now!

  27. Anonymous says:

    Be sure your sins will find you out, it will be interesting to see what he is accused of when he comes to trial. From a Cayman perspective, it will be interesting to see if there are paralells!

  28. needlecase says:

    huhh !  yes, after mashing up the country for special interest purposes, they took so long to arrest one man. They could have done this a long time without dissolving TCI's democracy and infringing on their rights

  29. Anonymous says:

    No one is above the law Michael, I just hope others in the Cayman Islands get the message because we have some politicians here that need to learn this lesson. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Not true. Some in Cayman seem to be above the law, including even possibly some of our law firms.