Misick back in custody in Brazil as appeal fails

| 16/04/2013

MisickFM01084433_0.jpg(CNS): The former premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands has been re-arrested by the Brazilian authorities after his appeal against that government’s decision not to grant him political asylum failed. Michael Misick, who was arrested in Sao Paulo on the authority of a Brazilian Supreme Court, was bailed in February after having been initially arrested in December. He is currently the subject of an extradition request and after his application for political asylum was rejected Monday he was taken back into custody, TCI officials have reported. While in jail in Brazil last year, Misick had stated he was willing to return voluntarily to his home country but TCI prosecutors formally requested Misick’s extradition in relation to a major corruption investigation.

The extradition is in the hands of Brazilian authorities and the process could take several months to complete, but the TCI governor’s office said it was hopeful the process would move along. “It is in the best interests of the TCI that allegations of wrongdoing are thoroughly investigated and that Michael Misick returns there as soon as possible to answer these charges.”

Misick faces a number of charges relating to systemic corruption in TCI, uncovered during a commission of inquiry in 2009 which led to the UK imposing direct rule over the territory. The islands were returned to democracy at the end of 2012 with elections in November, when the party formerly led by Misick was narrowly returned to power.

Meanwhile, the same prosecuting team which is investigating the corruption has dropped charges against TCI developer Samuel "Sammy" Been after he agreed to give up a portion of a commercial building in Providenciales valued at $875,000. Been was charged with money laundering and conspiracy over a hotel development in TCI but prosecutors said it was not in the public interest to pursue the prosecution and accepted the property recovery instead. Been said he maintained his innocence and had settled as it was in the best interest of the people.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Ha.  Ha.  Ha.  Nuff said.

  2. Anonymously says:

    Mike we are praying for you,keep the faith and let the truth be told. If you have to go under take everyone that had a hand in it with you also. Please don’t be the fall guy for anyone since the UK want to clean house let them do just that get it all to them on a silver platter and let them see that it might have a domino effect that could be much further than they anticipated.

    • Chris Johnson says:

      Misick is a scoundrel and a vagabond and prayers will not change that. He and his cronies brought the TCI to it’s knees hence the intervention of the FCO. A few more years of the former Bush Government would have done the same. Mind you the present lot are no better. Honesty and integrity are the most desirable ingredients for the next election’s candidates.

      • Anonymously says:

        In my opinion Mike Misick and TCI is no worst than what is happening in Cayman same corruption,greed,sellout, government waste and mismanagement. Like him or not more Belongers claimed to have prospered under the Misick government than whose that did under direct rule. It is quite ironic that the government that Misick was a part of was returned to power the first opportunity that the people of TCI got to vote after direct rule. Like him or not Mike did more for the poor people of TCI than he did for rich investors can’t say the same here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Extraordinary comment!

      You "are praying for" him, then you say if you have to go under take everyone that had a hand in it with you, so you seem to accept that he did what he is accused of. He is accused of corruption that means if guilty ( and you seem to accept he is) he was stripping his country of its dues. Do you really support that? And out of interest, what is your view of Bush?  

      • Anonymous says:

        It seem like he and Ke Ke running race to see who can  get in the pen first.  Birds of a feather flock together. Their hands are CLEAN and their HEARTS are PURE.   Laugh a day.

      • Anonymously says:

        Do you know his connections to Cayman? It just might have far reaching consequences that extends way beyond Mac just investigate and you would be surprised to see what you’ll find.

    • Anonymous says:

      I just offered up a short prayer as well. I prayed for 20 years. How much did you ask for?

      • Anonymously says:

        I pray that he go free just like those that stole an entire race of people from their lands and enslaved them in lands and cultures foreign to them. How about a truth and reconciliation tribunal like in SA to deal with the atrocities of the past after all this was his country’s money and not the taking of their lands, diamonds, gold, precious materials and often times life? Sentence him to the same time that Botha got for his crimes that he committed against the state of SA.

  3. Anonymously says:

    This should serve as a warning to many or few in government that think that they are allowed to do as they want and will not be held accountable. I am very sorry for Mike and hope that he will return to TCI soon.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Misick and McKeeva – aaaaaahhhhhhhh Boy !!!!!

  5. St Peter says:

    Didnt he say that if he was released he would return to TCI?

    Then when he was out on bail he applied for political asylum?

    Now its back to your cell you go…