The South Florida District Court has just denied Alex Saab’s defense’s request to overturn the international fugitive’s order.
He also says he will be stubborn in appearing before authorities and offers to submit to U.S. justice. The decision, known for the first time by EL TEMPS, also states that it is not clear that those who filed the application or motion for annulment are its titular lawyers, as they did not present documentary support to prove it.
(We invite you to read: Alert for access to Álex Saab of reserved data from the bank and Dian)
This is the decision of the Federal Court against Alex Saab.
Lawyers did not prove power
In fact, they say that it is possible that the defense order was made through a third person, including the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
The law firm they are referring to is Baker Hostetler, who filed the special motion. The Court asked this office to show the contract with Saab, but they have not done so.
(You may be interested: Álex Saab’s family moved from Caracas to Moscow)
In addition, the decision says Saab was not entitled to a motion because it knew it was already being investigated and yet did not come forward to answer for the federal charges it has and that include asset laundering operations linked to corruption and the Maduro regime.
The Court did not recognize the alleged imminence that Nicholas Maduro gave to Saab, appointing plenipotentiary ambassador to Africa.
Mature behind?
In its defense, the law firm explained the unusual circumstances of this criminal case, in reference to the fact that his client had been imprisoned in Cape Verde since June 12, 2020. In addition, he noted that no there may be an obligation to present a power of attorney.
(In addition: Cape Verde launches warnings on extradition of Alex Saab in May) However, the Court notes in its ruling that the government wants to make sure it was dealing with lawyers who actually represented the interests of Saab and not those of a third party, including representatives of Maduro’s regime.
zero immunity
“It is well established that a fugitive has no right for the court, which he refuses to appear to, to resolve the case,” the decision states.
And he reminds her that the indictment against her was filed in this court on July 25, 2019, and was picked up by the media. In addition, the OFAC had already sanctioned it. They even mention that at that time, a law firm began to represent the noted ironhead of Nicolás Maduro.
(In context: DEA tracks down two Alex Saab exiles in Barranquilla)
“In addition, when questioned after his provisional arrest in Cape Verde, Saab admitted that” he knew that there were charges against the US, that there was an international investigation into him, and he also knew that there was an investigation. against Colombia, “the court notes.
The decision of the Federal Court also states that they do not recognize Saab as a diplomat and therefore do not recognize his immunity, alleged both by the Maduro regime and its defense of Cape Verde.
(About the case: This is Alex Saab’s credit card that entangles 2 Colombians)
And to prove the fugitive status of the United States, the Court recalls that Saab and its co-conspirators had important contact with this country: “This is especially evident in the dependence of Saab and his accomplices in the financial system. , including the use of a bank, to move US dollars from one foreign bank account to another. “
The decision is expected to be appealed within the established deadline. Meanwhile, the Cape Verde Court is making progress in defining Saab’s extradition.
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