Alex Saab talks about Cape Verde: denounces the conspiracy, kidnappings and torture. He mentioned Maduro and Abelardo de la Espriella

Since March 17, nearly 10 months after his arrest, the Supreme Court of Cape Verde, Africa, has authorized the extradition of the Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who is sought by the American justice, accused of being a leader on behalf of Nicolás Maduro and of money laundering for the Venezuelan government.

The businessman, from his place of detention, replied to a questionnaire to the newspaper El Espectador in which he assured that it was a kidnapping because he did not have the procedural guarantees for his defense, alleged acts of torture and mentioned his relationship with lawyer Abelardo de l’Espriella.

“First, let’s clarify one thing. I am not detained, I have been kidnapped since June 12, 2020 “The Barranquilla businessman assured the Colombian newspaper, because although the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) concluded that his capture was illegal, the Cape Verdean justice authorized his extradition.

On June 12, 2020, Alex Saab was en route in a private plane to Iran. The plane had taken off in Russia and arrived in the African country to refuel; At that time, Cape Verdean authorities approached the businessman and detained him. According to him, he was pushed without shoes and the pilot was forced to leave the island.

The arrest was based on the fact that Saab Morán had been put on the Clinton list, of the United States, for an alleged pioneer and money laundering corruption in Venezuela. However, he told El Espectador that at the time of his capture, he was not shown an arrest warrant or a red Interpol circular, which was presented the next day.

Saab accused the agent in charge of his arrest, Natalio Correira, of having acted without the consent of the Attorney General of Cape Verde, José Landim, and of lying about his international claim. Likewise, he assured that the Minister of the Interior and the head of national security, Carlos Resis, had lied by following “direct instructions from the Ministry of Justice”.

He also assured that Prime Minister Ulisses Correira was involved in his alleged kidnapping, because according to the Colombian businessman, he should have been released the next day when the Venezuelan government invoked his diplomatic immunity. after having been appointed “special envoy” and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic by Nicolás Maduro.

The Barranquilla businessman claimed to have been tortured since his arrest. “I was kidnapped by Cape Verde in collusion with the United States and for seven months they kept me in conditions that the US State Department itself described as ‘life threatening’ . From the first day of my kidnapping, they tortured me and pressured me to sign voluntary extradition statements and give false testimony against my government, ”he told El Espectador.

These are three physical torture and psychological abuse. He alleges that although his defense requested it, he was not allowed to be seen by an oncologist because he is a “cancer survivor”. He said that in prison he was left in the dark in the cell lying on the floor, so his vision deteriorated and he has to wear glasses, he was also prohibited from speaking with people in the room. prison and he lost 25 pounds of weight.

According to him, he is in a house like a prison with strong custody and drones following him when he goes to open spaces. His family could not visit him and the first call was made up to five months after his deprivation of liberty.

The newspaper asked him the reason for his diplomatic appointment by the Venezuelan government, which came after his arrest. Alex Saab denied it was in response to the capture, but worked with this regime since 2011 with Hugo Chávez and continued this work with Maduro., who, he said, appointed him special envoy in 2018. In addition, already in detention, he said the Bolivarian president appointed him Alternate Permanent Representative to the African Union on December 24.

In the questionnaire, Saab also noted that Abelardo de la Esperilla, who was his lawyer, is still his friend. “Abelardo de la Espriella is a great lawyer and friend. His professional references are well known to all. He just practiced as a lawyer for a few years and quit a few years ago. He is still my friend and political differences have nothing to do with the exercise of his profession“, wrote.

The Barranquillero fears reaching a prison in the United States, due to the Covid-19 epidemics in these places, which would be a “death sentence” for him due to his state of health. Likewise, he assures that he could be tortured because he refuses to provide confidential information about the Venezuelan government.

“President Maduro is a person of integrity who is only interested in the well-being of the Venezuelan people. President Maduro has shown incredible leadership in the face of unprecedented sanctions and America’s political dirty tricks. I am honored to be able to help President Maduro in any way I can as he seeks to ensure the well-being of the Venezuelan people. “he asserted.

Saab hopes Cape Verde will accept the ECOWAS decision, which he says is binding on the island, calling for his release due to illegal capture and detention. He denies being a leader for Nicolás Maduro because the head of the Venezuelan regime “does not need” such owners.