Barranquillero defender Alex Saab’s defense and close circles were aware that he was being held in a prison hotel this weekend and that his release was imminent.
But neither thing has happened. Although the Court of Appeals of Barlovento agreed to grant him the house in prison last Thursday, the decision has not been executed and, on the contrary, the procedures for his extradition to the United States are still in course.
(We invite you to read: Attention: Alex Saab is granted house arrest)
In the midst of this judicial pulse, the defense of Maduro’s pointed ironhead, who is now called the plenipotentiary ambassador of Venezuela, issued a statement this Saturday complaining about what they call sabotage.
“Although on Thursday (January 21) the Barlavento Court of Appeals granted the house arrest claims, the court order was not officially notified. Cynically, this will result in Ambassador Saab remaining in custody. in custody until at least Monday as today is a public holiday in Barlavento. All this prolongs the psychological torture of Ambassador Saab, “they point out.
In fact, in its eagerness to be recognized as a special ‘envoy’ of Venezuela, that country sent to the federal court in Miami a certification stating that the defendant Saab had the title of special envoy since 2018.
(You may be interested: After Biden’s tab message, Maduro presses for Saab’s freedom)
For federal agents it is clear that they are marking this date because they know that the last-minute appointment as ambassador, revealed by EL TEMPS in December 2020, has no retroactive effects and does not give Saab any immunity.
Judge with Covid
The defense of Saab, prosecuted in the United States for money laundering linked to the Maduro regime, notes that for the house release hearing to take place, the presence of a Cape Verdean judge was necessary.
“To the surprise of those mentioned at the hearing, this judge was absent, alleging problems arising from covid-19. Apart from the fact that the epidemic has already existed for more than a year and has not prevented the their attendance, this absence amounts to a clear and deliberate attempt by the Cape Verdean Government to sabotage the hearing and
discredit the Court, ”they complain.
(Also: The US Secret Plan. So that Alex Saab does not escape)
And they announce that the legal team has contacted the Secretary of the Court of Appeals of Barlavento and the Office of the Attorney General and both confirmed that all the competent authorities were notified the same day.
That is why they say the delay is “shrouded in mystery as to why the Sal police were not informed. And this is not the first time the special envoy has been the victim of such irregularities in the Cape Verdean judicial system, that on this occasion he appears to have deliberately attempted to sabotage the ECOWAS Court, presumably as a result of pressure from the United States. “
Appeal and threat
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Cape Verde is getting ready to decide whether or not to extradite Saab, whom the United States considers a key factor in reaching the gold and dollars that have left Venezuela already agreements with Iran, Turkey and Russia.
(In context: What does the US say about Saab being Maduro’s plenipotentiary ambassador?)
While this is happening, his defense announced that it has called for the direct intervention of ECOWAS heads of state to hold Cape Verde responsible for what they call “the continued breach of the binding order of December 2, 2020
issued by ECOWAS, which deliberately destroys the foundations of the Community and the ECOWAS Court“.
For now, Saab is still in the cell assigned to him, at least until next Monday, when the offices reopen.
(See here all the articles of the EL TEMPS Research Unit)
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