Police cannot account for an alleged Guatemalan fugitive who was supposedly expelled from Belize.
An application by attorneys Oswald Twist and Elston Kaseke for a writ of habeaus corpus to produce the body of alleged Guatemalan fugitive, 49 year old Ottoniel Turcuis Marroquin, was heard today in the court of Justice Adolph Lucas.
Kaseke presented two affidavits, one from Marroquin and the other from Twist. Marroquin in his affidavit which was signed on October 27th, said he was taken into custody by Belize police on October 25th, while in San Ignacio town and had committed no offence.
Twist who was retained by Marroquin's family said he was deliberately prevented by the police from contacting his client. Counsel Nigel Hawk who along with counsel Magali Perdomo represented the crown, said the crown cannot produce Marroquin because he is no longer in Belize.
Hawk said Marroquin was expelled from Belize on October26th, in the interest of public safety and security, and the expulsion order was signed by the Minister of Defense and Immigration, Honorable Carlos Perdomo.
Commissioner of Police, Crispin Jeffries who was present in court, was called to testify as to whether there was evidence that the expulsion order was carried out. Jeffries said the only documentation was the expulsion order. Justice Lucas then ordered Jeffries to find out who escorted Marroquin, the date and time, where he was placed, and also to have the person or persons swear on an affidavit to the information provided. Justice Lucas adjourned the hearing until Monday, November 1st. Marroquin is reportedly wanted in both Guatemala and the United States for drug related offenses.
Email
Print