A federal court in the Southern District of Florida, in the United States, is currently seeking to demonstrate an alleged diplomatic status for Álex Saab, as a representative of the Venezuelan regime. However, Joshua Goodman, agency journalist APgave new details in which the man from Barranquilla was involved, since witnesses appeared who declared that this businessman made four impressive million-dollar transfers between 2018 and 2019 with illicit money, through contracts from Nicolás Maduro.
In that sense, The justice of the United States managed to compile that said monetary transactions were made to bank accounts, which were under the control of the DEA anti-drug agency.
In fact, the exact dates and the prevailing amounts were revealed. The first, on August 9, 2018, for a value of $3,255.59; the second, September 24, 2018, for $3,313,757; the third, November 1, 2018, for $3,138,844. Finally, the fourth date on February 5, 2019 for $ 2,942,501, according to Goodman.
In addition, The transfers would be related to Saab agreements, a designated front man for Nicolás Maduro, which will be granted to the North American justice system. In addition, it is not ruled out that money laundering appears.
These dates are consistent with moments in which the Colombian businessman had meetings with the DEA. It should be noted that on Tuesday, December 20, a federal judge in South Florida questioned why he should accept the diplomatic immunity claim of an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. if the United States does not recognize the legitimacy of the government he supposedly represented when he was arrested.
After a nearly two-hour hearing in the federal courts in downtown Miami, Judge Robert Scola said that an order is expected to be issued next week with his decision on the request to dismiss the case filed by Colombian businessman Alex Saab, considered Maduro figurehead.
“The United States does not recognize the Maduro regime as the legitimate government of Venezuela”Scola said, immediately asking why then he should validate Saab’s presumed diplomatic immunity. Scola said that since it is a government that is not recognized by Washington, neither are the documents it issues or its decisions.
Saab is accused of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars that he obtained by paying bribes to Venezuelan officials in exchange for contracts to build affordable housing. Nearly 350 million dollars of these corrupt businesses were taken out of Venezuela and passed through the United States, according to the allegations. Saab could face up to 20 years in prison if he is found guilty.
The businessman was extradited just over two years ago and has since argued that he cannot face charges in the United States because he enjoyed diplomatic immunity. at the time of his arrest.
Saab has pleaded not guilty and says he was on a humanitarian mission en route to Iran when his plane stopped in Cape Verde to refuel. His defense has demanded his immediate release, considering that he was illegally “kidnapped” when he was traveling as a diplomatic representative from Venezuela to Iran.
With his words, the judge seemed to be closer to the position of the prosecution, which throughout the judicial process has refused to recognize Saab’s alleged diplomatic immunity.
At the hearing, Saab appeared calm, sitting with a team of more than five lawyers. He arrived handcuffed and with shackles on his ankles, but later, at the request of his defense, the judge agreed to have the handcuffs removed.
*With information from AP.