[NYTr] Outcry Keeps Posada in Prison (for now)
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Granma Daily - Apr 13, 2007
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/english/news/art18.html
Outcry to Keep Posada in Prison
While in Cuba, Venezuela, the US and other countries repulsion mounted
over a judge's decision to free terrorist Luis Posada Carriles on bail,
on Thursday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans barred
what appeared to be his imminent release.
Posada was about to be released to go to Miami to await trial on
immigration fraud when the appeals court postponed his release, reported
EFE.
The court responded to an emergency request from the US Justice
Department which asked for more time to "explore the possibility of
appealing the decision" of US District Judge Kathleen Cardone. Posada has
until Tuesday to appeal the court order that he remains in detention.
Justice Department attorney John F. DePue was quoted as saying, "Posada
Carriles' history demonstrates that there is a very real risk that he
will flee if released," before his trial on May 11 on several counts of
immigration fraud. He has not been charged for any of his more serious
crimes, such as the in-flight bombing of a commercial Cuban airliner in
1976 that killed all 73 persons on board.
Meanwhile, thousands of Cubans attended rallies at work places, schools
and community gatherings around the country to speak out against the
impunity enjoyed by the terrorist.
The participants also demanded the release of the Cuban Five, the
antitheses of Posada, who dedicated their lives to uncovering terrorist
plots against Cuba --like the ones executed by Posada-- hatched in
southern Florida. The Cuban Five have spent more than eight years in US
prisons.
The impending release of Posada brought indignation from Venezuela, which
seeks his extradition to stand trial for the plane bombing. Despite a
long standing extradition agreement with the South American nation and
Washington's commitments to international law and under its crusade
against terrorism, the Bush administration has refused to honor the
treaty.
Jose Pertierra, the attorney representing Venezuela in the case, said
that justice would only be served if Posada is handed to Venezuelan
authorities to answer for his multiple crimes, or in the absence of
extradition, he is tried in the US for his terrorist activities and not
just for lying to immigration officials.
***
PL via Granma Daily - Apr 13, 2007
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/english/news/art22.html
Venezuela Firm In Demanding Posada's Extradition from US
CARACAS, (PL).-- The case of Luis Posada Carriles is the last chance for
the United States to demonstrate its seriousness in the fight against
terrorism, said Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuela's ambassador to Washington on
Thursday.
The possibility of granting the Cuban-born Posada freedom on bail is a
political decision of the Bush administration, said Alvarez speaking on
Telesur TV. Posada is known as the mastermind behind the blowing up of a
Cuban airliner in 1976 that resulted in the deaths of 73 persons.
The diplomat warned that "it is the responsibility of the White House if
Posada Carriles is set free. It's a decision that is in the hands of the
administration and very concretely the White House," said Alvarez.
The ambassador said that no official in the bureaucracy is gong make a
decision in the Posada case without having the approval of the White
House.
Alvarez believes that Judge Kathleen Cardone, who granted Posada
conditional freedom on bail, is waiting for a request from the US
district attorney for his detention for immigration violations or "ample
documentation" that certifies him as a terrorist.
Alvarez said the Posada case isn't over, since the US can ask he remain
in preventive custody on the immigration fraud charges, in accord with
the extradition treaty with Venezuela.
He recalled that for the last 22 months the Venezuelan government has
insisted on Posada's extradition but has yet to receive a formal reply.
"Our request for his extradition was made even before Posada was captured
and charges brought for immigration crimes."
Posada escaped from a Venezuelan jail in 1985 to avoid prosecution for
the plane sabotage, organized from Caracas. Based on this reason,
Venezuela demands Posada's extradition so he can be tried for the plane
bombing. However, the US authorities arrested him only for lying to
immigration officers and refuse to either deport him or accuse him on
terrorist charges.
*
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