Fahie seeks release from US custody citing diplomatic immunity

MIAMI, CMC – Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Andrew Fahie, has sought his release from United States custody on alleged drugs and money laundering charges claiming diplomatic immunity.

Fahie as well as the managing director of the BVI Ports Authority, Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard, and her son Kadeem Maynard were last week detained by Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officials and charged with conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering.

Fahie, 51, is scheduled for a pre-trial detention hearing on Wednesday when the court will determine whether to detain him without bail.

He will then undergo a preliminary hearing on May 13.

But in a “Notice of Invocation of Immunity” filed with the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, the premier of the small British Overseas Territory is seeking his release citing diplomatic immunity.

According to the court document, “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”.

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.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Assembly in the BVI, Julian Willock, announced Tuesday that he was stepping down from his post.

He told legislators that his resignation followed a telephone conversation he had with acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley who had invited him to resign.

“He advised me that the majority of members agreed that I should demit office,” Willock said, adding, “I asked the acting Premier during the telephone conversation if he was aware that I did anything wrong. He said no.

“I asked him if he has any knowledge that I was implicated in any aspect of the Commissioner of Inquiry's report in any way. He said no. I asked the acting Premier to his knowledge if I was under any active investigation of any matter of governance or misconduct while in office. He said no. So I was surprised with his proposal and message,” he added.

Willock further said he had requested that he be given time to put his affairs in order and to consult with his attorneys.

“I have sought legal advice on this matter and I have agreed with acting Premier to offer my resignation. Both honourable members and the public will hear more on this whole matter from me,” said  Willock, who was appointed to the position after Fahie's Virgin Islands Party won the 2019 general election.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.