The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Immigration and Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell has threatened to file a formal complaint against Fred Smith, QC, to the Bar Association in connection with two Cuban men who were wrongfully imprisoned in the country for nearly three years and fled to the United States after being released.

Mr Smith represented the two men in court.

Mr Mitchell also said he is seeking to move a “formal vote of censure” in the House of Assembly against member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte Dr Andre Rollins for “casting aspersions” on his character.

“It’s been brought to my attention last night that the member for Fort Charlotte made certain allegations about my conduct as minister of foreign affairs, and imputed some improper motives and cast some aspersions on the matter,” Mr Mitchell said on Thursday.

He said he has requested that the House of Assembly provide him with a transcript of what Dr Rollins said about him on Wednesday night.

“I would also like to say in connection with this matter that a formal complaint is being brought up against Fred Smith, QC, to the Bar Association in connection with the question of the Cubans and their departure from this country,” Mr Mitchell said.

“It also seems to me that if as is reported to me, the member (Dr Rollins) alleges that he, out of peculiar knowledge, knows these individuals are in Miami, then he ought to have to answer some questions as well about his conduct. And I say also that it is also within the purview of this Parliament to move formal votes of censure against irresponsible members of Parliament. That’s all I say at this moment.”

On February 18, Supreme Court Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs ordered the release of Carlos Pupo Mendoza and Lazaro Seara Marin from the Department of Correctional Services.

According to Mr Smith, the Cubans were unlawfully detained for nearly three years and were never charged or tried in court. They were previously detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

Mr Smith has called Mr Mitchell a “danger to democracy” and said Bahamians should be terrified of the minister.

The day after the court’s ruling, Mr Mitchell called the men a national security risk. The Department of Immigration later said it was looking for the two Cubans, who had reportedly last been seen in Bimini, to apprehend them.

Mr Mitchell previously said the men did not have landed status in the Bahamas, had no right to be here and were violating immigration laws.

The men have since fled to the United States and are working in Florida, Mr Marin’s brother Yeisnner Ferrer told The Tribune on March 7.

The men have each sued the attorney general, Mr Mitchell and the commissioner of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for $5 million.

The Cubans accuse Mr Mitchell, in his personal capacity, of misfeasance and malfeasance in public office. They are each seeking $1 million in damages for defamation.

Prime Minister Perry Christie has previously said the government tried unsuccessfully to get the men accepted into several countries while they were in custody, including Cuba – their country of birth – the United States and Panama.