By Nalinee Seelal and Corey Connelly
October 10 2010 – newsday.co.tt
After weeks of speculation, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan yesterday signed an extradition order granting the United States Government the permission to extradite businessmen Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh to the United States to answer fraud charges.
The men, who were UNC financiers, face a total of 95 charges relating to the construction of the controversial $1.6 billion Piarco Airport Terminal building.
The decision by the AG came following recommendations for the extraditions by both the US Government and this country’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard.
On September 23, the AG received a list of recommendations from the US Government, which had clearly stated reasons why the two men should face trial in that country.
Six days later, Gaspard also sent his advice to the AG which effectively paved the way for the extraditions of Ferguson and Galbaransingh.
Attorneys for the two men are expected to visit them at the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca today to inform them of Ramlogan’s decision.
The People’s Partnership Government had come under fire from several quarters for its perceived hesitance in decisively addressing the longstanding matter.
Ramlogan, who is constitutionally charged with the responsibility and statutory duty to decide extradition requests, had said, though, that the matter was delicate and could not be rushed.
Sources yesterday revealed that the extradition could take place as early as today.
Full Article : newsday.co.tt
***
I believe this is a step in the right direction. It sends a subtle signal that justice will be serviced. But I wonder if the USA is the strong influencing factor here. Are we to assume that if the USA feels strongly about this, it will happen? Or is the AG planning to bring all to justice. The PNM has plenty to answer for. Lets now see justice from their many acts of evil that has left some like me thirsting for justice. Come on PP justice must be swifter than you are seeing it. The AG needs to understand that the EOC served no one but the former PNM. This has to change as lawyer fees are not cheap in T&T.
Shame on these guys they should and will be punished to the full extent of the law
There is nothing to rejoice about. This matter should have been settled a long time ago instead of allowing it to become political. Extradiction agreementrs are to be respected and reciprocal, the delaying tactics will not help these two gentlemen.
Kian, my friend, if as you say “extradition agreements are to be respected and reciprocal”, can you give me one example and yes, I need only one, when the Americans have allowed one of their nationals to be extradited to any other country? And we do know that US nationals have committed crimes in abundance in foreign lands.In many cases, like Mexico, they do not even attempt extradition, knowing that any request will be denided.
Listen to this tribalist pro criminal apologist , as he try to justify the disgusting behavior of two citizens of his country.Ok T -Man , then do you wish to support a drive that would demand and ensure that the world’s sole remaining superpower be held accountable for possible misdeeds like others on the planet?
Next thing I expect this leading country bellyaching, selectively outraged crier, to say is that the sometimes revolting PNM ,condoned criminal behaviors during their stewardships, and although his own leaders, party , and government claimed that they are for change , nevertheless, business as usual should continue unabated , so that the only criminal cats, and chicks, that our country should therefore flush out are poor , hungry, desperate , and illiterate low caste characters from the Trini ghetto , barrios, and Brazilian like favales of Siparia, Caroni, El Socorro ,Caranege,Bethel, and Lavantille.
How pathetic!
Reprieve for Ish, Steve
Even as businessmen Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh made a last-ditch effort in the High Court during the wee hours of yesterday morning to avoid extradition, they may not be extradited to the United States until October 18.
…Ish and Steve Get Another Lifeline
…Court blanks Ish, Steve once more
UNITED STATES marshals could arrive in this county as early as next Monday, to extradite United National Congress (UNC) financiers Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson to the US to face charges related to the $1.6 billion Piarco Airport Development Project.
…Galbaransingh and Ferguson’s legal battles
This Neal character must be a misguided, lost soul with a lot of time on his hands and with a memory which programmed by his grandmother, whom I am sure was/is a wise and wonderful person.
I fail to comprehend his giant leap in logic when he accuses me of justifying the actions of the accused, and I stress “accused”. Neal would prefer to be judge and jury and pass judgment on these men without any specific evidence and information whatsoever. Whatever happened to his adopted country’s favorite boast, “Innocent until proven guilty”.I am still awaiting the information which I requested.Are other countries successful in extraditing American citizens when they commit crimes in other lands? The answer is never! And this failure is based on the premise that somehow citizens of the USA are more deserving than nationals of other countries.It is also based on the assumption that US citizens are more valuable than anyone else or that the US justice system is superior.
TMan, I know that you are sympathetic towards Ish and Steve and you wouyld prefer to have them tried in T&T. I would just like tro ask you one question – just tell me when a rich man in Trinoidad and Tobago has ever been convicted on anything? If you cant answer that, then it means that Isht and Steve already knows the answer,so the US would be an unfriendly place for them since the US dont care about your money, but Trinidad cares – Rich man never get cvonvicted.
I do hope your Edmonton pal cousin Gibbs our new Commissioner of Police is taking copious notes, and don’t think that because he is being paid 5 times what the past five local guys got all put together he too can pull out the Randy Burroughs playbook and so only run up to the mountains of Cumoto, and Maraval, to hunt down blue color thugs ,in the name of justice, while white well connected white color bums, are cuddled, as he would have to answer to an outraged T-Man.
My adopted country.Nice one T-Man.
I am a globalist my friend, and staked no claims to another country , but by ‘Sweet, Sweet, T&T aka Rainbow country.’ What you consider time wasting , is really passion , and love for the 1.3 million or more of it’s people.
Extradition imperative
We have consistently held to the view that the incoming People’s Partnership government was obligated to honour the request of the United States Government for Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson to be extradited to face trial in that country.
US surprised by AG’s extradition order
Speaking with the Express yesterday on the condition of anonymity, a US official said the United States Government was only informed of the decision on Saturday, moments before an e-mail press release was issued by the Attorney General’s office to the local media.
Ish, Steve may fight extradition
LAWYERS representing UNC financiers Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh yesterday continued to examine legal options as the countdown to the date set for their extradition continues.
AG: Ball now in court of US Govt on extradition date
ATTORNEY General Anand Ramlogan yesterday said businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson are entitled like any other citizen, under the Constitution, to access the courts.
…Anand on Ish, Steve extradition: No delaying tactics
The people off T&T should be very happy,Justic will preveil
as soon as these rascal reached U.S.A.
No Fabian ,we cannot have that, but should be grateful for the stewardship of our new very progressive government ,that possess the ability to stand up to Big brother America, unlike our more criminally violent, Jamaican cousins,who could not pull off such nationalistic restraints when it came to keeping their tugs from being extradited.
Great job indeed, and Long live the PP leadership, as well as the people of the Republic of Trinidad, oh by the way, as well as ‘Tobacco.’
I always tell individuals do not get carefree and let your government friends and supervisors bully or encourage you to do wrong, flout the regulations, act illegal or ignore tradition. Why when these officers leaves office you will have to answer why you knowingly acted improper. Where are Ish and Steve’s UNC people now? Signing warrants and distancing themselves. The USA justice system is awaiting their appearance. You mean not one high ranking UNC member cannot intervene and make an attempt to try them locally.
No Martial it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with carefree,government, supervisors,or friends bullying to do wrong. You would not blame the bank for the actions of the bank robber would you?
Folks such as Steve , Ish , and certain elements that includes most of their pals in the former UNC, are unique as far as our country goes.
I am talking culturally unsound , and morally bankrupt ,greedy crooks and bandits , that would not hesitate to dip in the cookie jar if the opportunity presents itself,but would sell their collective souls ,and that of their kids, mama, sister, and grandma,where warranted.
We must just live with this.
Now you are talking like a. St James Smokey & Bounty half drunk dreamer for thinking that dem UNC guys would do anything to save these two clowns, unless they are tired of holding power. Get real!
All this fuss about extradition is a farce.
If Ish and Steve were innocent, they would be rushing off to the USA courts to clear their names.
It is known that innocent citizens like Abdul Kadir and Russell Defreitas are shipped off to USA kangaroo courts, bigtime criminals are kept from facing justice.
USA CONDUCTS KANGAROO COURT TRIALS WHILE REWARDING KNOWN TERRORISTS!
It is the height of hypocrisy to talk about fighting terrorism while harbouring men who are wanted for or helping to destroy passenger airplanes.
On October 6, 1976, Cubana Flight 455 was scheduled to fly from Guyana to Havana, Cuba via Trinidad, Barbados, and Kingston. Two time bombs, were planted on the aircraft at Piarco, Trinidad, by agents working for Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch. The bombs exploded in the aircraft’s rear lavatory, nine minutes after takeoff from Barbados, causing the plane to crash into the water. All 48 passengers and 25 crew aboard the plane died: 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese, and five North Koreans. Among the dead were all 24 members of the 1975 national Cuban Fencing team that had just won all the gold medals in the Central American and Caribbean Championship; many were teenagers.
Documents released by the USA National Security Archive on May 3, 2007 reveal the links the mastermind, American trained terrorist, Luis Clemente Faustino Posada Carriles, had to the 1976 Cubana airline bombing and other terrorist attacks and plots, including a British West Indian Airways office in Barbados and the Guyanese Embassy in Trinidad.
Posada left a bloody swath of terror and destruction across the Gulf of Mexico. By his own admission, the CIA-trained and Miami-funded Posada also planned bombings of Cuban hotels, cafes, and dancehalls. In 1997, one of Posada’s agents in Cuba detonated a bomb at a Cuban hotel which killed Italian tourist Fabio de Celmo. Posada admitted to plotting those bombings.
In 1999, Posada was convicted in Panama and imprisoned for attempting to kill Cuba Pres. Castro at a 2001 summit in Panama. However, Panama’s then-president Mireya Moscoso pardoned him in 2004. At the same time $4 million mysteriously appeared in her Swiss bank account.
Posada illegally entered the United States in 2005, and Homeland Security agents ignored the hemisphere’s best-known terrorist until he held a press conference. Then, embarrassed that they had not grabbed him when he entered the country without a visa, they gently arrested him and charged him with “illegal entry.”
Just as the Bush family has been directly tied to the Bin Laden family, so, too, have they been tied to Posada Carriles. Just as the Bin Ladens were the only planes in American airspace to leave the country after 9/11, so too is Luis Posada Carriles being shuffled through the system to fall out the other side completely free and anonymous.
Will President Obama extradite Luis Clemente Faustino Posada Carriles, to Venezuela and risk that he will reveal the secrets of four decades of Bush’s involvement in organising a facist international, or will President Obama protect him and stand exposed before the world as another protector of an international terrorist apparatus. The U.S. government knows how many crimes it has committed, hence all the continued secrecy by the Obama administration. Everything in Washington stinks.
“The terrorists Posada Carriles, and Osama bin Laden have become symbols of the US methods of hemispheric domination and its double standard: on the one hand, they declare a global war on terrorism and, on the other, they use it.”
It is time to end the mockery of justice, peace, and order that has existed for too long.
EXTRADITE POSADA TO VENEZUELA.. NOW!
Why does this terrorist Posada Carriles get such protection?
http://www.jfkmurdersolved.com/posada.htm