Former TCI premier released from Rio jail
(CNS): Michael Misick, the former premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, has been released from the high security jail cell where he was being held in Brazil following his arrest on an international warrant at the end of last year. Officials in TCI confirmed that the former premier, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a corruption enquiry, was released on 8 February. “We understand that the Brazilian Supreme Court has granted him bail," the TCI authorities said. The government in Misick's home country is currently pursuing his extradition, though Misick released statements from his jail cell that he was willing to return to TCI voluntarily.
Now that he has been released it is not clear if Misick will take steps to return to Turks or remain in Brazil as the extradition takes its course. The TCI attorney general said that the legal process to get Misick back was not yet exhausted but if the former leader takes flight and leaves the jurisdiction the TCI government will be limited in their ability to secure his return.
Misick was arrested on 7 December by Brazilian Federal Police acting on a provisional arrest warrant on behalf of the TCI Special Investigation and Prosecution Team, which was set up to investigate issues arising from Sir Robin Auld’s 2008-09 Commission of Inquiry. TCI prosecutors submitted formal extradition papers on 28 January to have Misick returned.
“The position remains that he was provisionally arrested under the authority of the Supreme Court in Brazil on the basis of a lawful request and theformal requestfor his extradition has been made through the proper channels. This matter remains in the hands of the Brazilian authorities,” the governor’s office in TCI stated.
Misick had asserted that he was held in Brazil illegally, which the TCI government denied insisting that his arrest was authorised by the Supreme Court in Brazil on the basis of a lawful request from TCI. Held in a maximum security prison in Rio, Misick wrote at least two letters from his jail cell, which were made public, claiming his human rights were being infringed and accusing the UK authorities in the TCI of conspiring against him because of his support for independence for TCI from continued British rule.
Category: World News
With a smile like that his mama should have name him Lipstick.
I always like Misick, his personality. He is always confident and believes in standing up for his people no matter the consequences. He is bold and is not scare to speak his mind. I hope he has a great carnival time in Brazil.
Iron Mike (aka dapper don) did it again, now what's next? president for life of TCI! I guess you don't have to now face a jury of your pears anytime soon. Must feel good to be free, soldier on Mike.
me hearsay sometin happen a de carnival, 6 tci women dance wit de supreme justice… decision overturned quickly!
Trust me, Brazil don't want to get mix up with UK injustices!
Don't blame them one bit!
Ya have to look at it from de Brazilian point of view. 😉
Just in time for Carnival.
If he had treated his woman rigtht, Lisa Raye would have sent the Lear Jet to pick him up as soon as he was granted bail.
He looks happy to be out…
Ok – time to party again…
We trust that Mike Misick will now return to TCI and face the charges that he is accused of as he said that he would be willing to return to TCI and put the matter to rest and save his country the undue international spotlight.
Now he can come here and help his buddy Mac get reelected in west bay. Imagine Ellio and this Turks Island guy campaigning and raising funds for Mac's defense. That would be a world's first. Man I can't wait to see Two former heads of countries talking trash at political rallies. That would take the cake. Always expect the unexpected in BIG MAC Politics2013.