Former Minister Rene Montero Back; Police to Levy Charge
Rene Montero
He has been away from Belize for over a year, reportedly to seek medical attention, but he is wanted by the state to face a charge of Willful Oppression Contrary to the Criminal Code. The charge followed several allegations of abuse of power that were made against the former minister. When he failed to show up to face the charge, an InterPol alert was issued for his arrest. Now, word is that former U.D.P. Minister of Works, Rene Montero is back in Belize. Today, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams informed the media that the former minister is expected to be taken in by his attorneys to face the charge.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Belize Police do not work abroad. Wherever Mr. Montero is, we do not work there. So to say that we’re allowing to be at large is an unfair statement. We have communicated with InterPol and you all saw the RED Notice on InterPol, where Mr. Montero is concerned. I don’t know if you expect me to give directions to the InterPol persons in the U.S. and tell them what to do, but that is not how it works. Notwithstanding that, I can report that just yesterday I was contacted by the attorneys for Mr. Montero and I was told that he is on his way to Belize and as soon as he arrives in Belize he will be taken in to us by the attorneys so that we can proceed with the matter against him.”
Marion Ali
“That being the case, the charge that the police have to levy against him, I was told by a seasoned attorney, leaves a lot to be desired. That charge will never stand in court because it’s a charge that you would levy against a public officer or a former public officer, not a former minister of government.”
Chester Williams
“I have read the piece of law in the Criminal Code that the D.P.P. had directed that Mr. Montero be charged under. I am not a seasoned attorney but yoh know sometimes season chicken spoil, right, soh nuh everything weh season good. From my understanding of the law, the charge is appropriate and we’re going to see what happens in the court. It’s not a matter for us to decide the guilt or innocence of Mr. Montero. It is a matter for the court. So the seasoned attorney, if he is the one who is going to represent Mr. Montero, will have his day in court to demonstrate why he believes the charges should not stick and the D.P.P., who is going to prosecute the matter, will have her day to say why the charges are appropriate and why they should stick.”
