Brazil - Safe haven for criminals, but try coming here legally!

Brazil’s history of being a safe haven for terrorists, war criminals, international criminals, etc., goes way back – they can’t deny it, try as they might. History proves otherwise, there was Josef Mengele, “Ronnie” Biggs of the Great Train Robbery fame, and several others.

More recently the case of Cesare Battisti, the convicted Italian terrorist and murderer who escasped to Brazil using false ID,  travel documents and passport. Despite all of Italy’s attempts the then Minister of Justice, Tarso Genro and President Lula welcomed him with open arms; giving him not only refuge and refusing Italy’s demands for extradition, but a Permanent Visa and work permit. Hail Cesare!!!

Now it’s former Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick, subject to a world-wide arrest warrant issued by INTERPOL and wanted by the British Government for corruption and fraud charges that led to the British taking back control of the islands. Misick was arrested at Rio’s Santos Dumont airport in February and ordered held by Ministro Ricardo Lewandowski of the STF and then subsequently released by the very same Lewandowski.

Provided that they aren't stupid enough to try to leave Brazil for some other country that takes international law seriously, these two will remain free as birds and live a life of ease here in Brazil.

Brazil has a horrible track record when it comes to living up to its responsibilites under international treaties. Let’s hope that the Brits have better luck at getting him back in custody than the Italians did with Battisti. Shameful indeed to see how the Brazilian government shows special treatment to those who have lots of money, regardless of the fact that they are hunted criminals and murderers.

Yes, this is the very same Brazil that demands other countries live up to international treaties, respect Brazilian 'so-called' rights - the very same Brazil that fought tooth and nail to keep young Sean Goldman, an American boy whose mother (in violation of Court Ordered Custody) brought him to Brazil without his custodial father's consent kept him here and subsequently when she died Brazil ignored Brazilian law which clearly states that non-biological parents have no legal rights whatever, gave custody to his step-father. The legal battles went all the way to the Supreme Court before finally Brazil honored its commitments under international treaties and returned the boy to his biological father.

Yet, try to take up residency in Brazil through the proper channels, doing so legally. Ha! Good luck my friend, you end up battling the bureaucracy for years before that ever happens. It's just damn frustrating to go through the endless battles only to see some of the worlds worst get the red carpet rolled out for them by an equally corrupt Brazilian government. Disgusting!!!