BVI NEWS:
TORTOLA BVI:--- Disgraced Premier Andrew Fahie has requested immediate release from United States detention claiming diplomatic immunity.
A representative from the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida confirmed with our news team that Fahie, accused of drug trafficking and money laundering, filed a “Notice of Invocation of Immunity” earlier today at federal court in Miami.
A copy of the document, which was seen by or news centre, read: “Defendant, The Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, (Hon A. Fahie) Premier of the Virgin Islands, hereby notices his invocation of all rights of and to immunity under international and domestic law, as the duly elected and sitting head of government of the Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory, including but not limited to immunity from arrest and detention, entitling him to immediate and unconditional release from detention by the United States”.
The court clerk said he could not confirm whether the invocation of immunity was accepted by the judge since it was filed a short time ago.
The document was filed by his lawyer Theresa Van Vliet of Genovese Joblove & Battista law firm.
Fahie has been in US Custody since April 28. He was arrested at Miami-Opa Locke Executive Airport after being criminally charged with one count of conspiracy to import five kilos or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder money.
He was arrested along with Managing Director of the Ports Authority Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem Maynard who was detained in the US Virgin Islands.
Fahie is expected back in court for a bail hearing in the coming days.
