The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the release of Alex saabwho has been detained in the United States since October 2021 when he was extradited from Cape Verde, and is charged with one count of money laundering.
“Once again we demand the release of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab, illegally kidnapped by the US government in violation of his human rights and international law. His health is at risk due to the lack of adequate medical care,” he said on his Twitter account.
Alex Saab: who is he and what is the businessman associated with the Maduro government extradited to the US accused of?
The message was accompanied by a message from the #FreeAlexSaab movement stating that Saab had been appointed as a Venezuelan diplomat five years ago and was being held on a special mission to bring food and medicine.
We demand once again the release of the Venezuelan diplomat, Alex Saab, who was illegally kidnapped by the US government in violation of his human rights and international law. Your health is at risk due to lack of proper medical care.#5YearsSpecialEnvoy https://t.co/nqisZfyTyl
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela 🇻🇪 (@CancilleriaVE) April 9, 2023
Saab was one of the businessmen who took advantage of the exchange control system known as Cadivi, which provided foreign currency at preferential rates that could then be resold on the illicit market.
He is also seen as the figurehead of Nicolás Maduro.
Last December, a US judge ruled rejects an appeal claiming that he enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
Saab faces approximately 20 years in prison if found guilty of the only charge he has in court in Miami.
Source: Eluniverso
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