Arms Traffic: Kathi Austin Consultations with the U.S. Embassy

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) confirms that it is not able to provide Kathi Lynn Austin, executive director of the Conflict Awareness Project (CAP), the "legal safe passage" for its next hearing requested under the investigation of trafficking weapons Mauritius as a hub. In the economy and to confirm its determination to shed light on the bottom of the case, consultations were initiated between the legal advice of the CAP and U.S. embassy officials to decide how to proceed. This immunity application was formally submitted to the ICAC on January 4.

This is indicated by the ICAC said in a statement issued late yesterday to comment on the details provided to the press by the PAC in New York on the sidelines of the international conference of the United Nations Arms Treaty is currently down. The ICAC has also confirmed the information, including the Mauritian reported in its edition yesterday to the effect that it had been proposed that the hearing of Kathi Lynn Austin takes place in a diplomatic mission in a foreign country .

"Understanding the position of the CAP and Ms. Kathi Lynn Austin, the ICAC has also proposed that the meeting with the latter happening elsewhere on the ground Mauritius. In the last communication of its legal representatives, we understand that it is consulting with the U.S. Embassy regarding contact local lawyers, "says the communication of the ICAC.

In terms of the immunity application made by the Executive Director of the Conflict Awareness Project against civil lawsuits for family members Mohamed, the statement notes that "the ICAC has never refused any" insurance "to Ms. Kathi Lynn Austin. Moreover, it was agreed that the cost of travel, accommodation, as well as his personal security 24/7 would be supported by the Mauritian authorities. However, the authorities can not provide Ms. Kathi Lynn Austin that is not provided by the Mauritian legal framework. "

These items were traded in a letter addressed by the ICAC representatives of Conflict Awareness Project where mention is made that with reference to Section 49 [of the POCA]) (…) a defendant sued before a Court of law on account of a disclosure made to ICAC will not be held civilly (or criminally) liable if the Court is satisfied that the Defendant, on reasonable grounds, believed that the information he disclosed could be true and was of such a nature as to warrant an investigation"

Further, the ICAC adds that "the “Mohamed Law Suit”, if any such suit has been filed in Court, would be a civil suit between a citizen/litigant and a Defendant and the Executive has no legal power or right to prevent service of documents or law suit in any of the ways described above. Our laws protect the Defendant’s freedom of movement out of, into and within Mauritius, irrespective of any such law suit. Furthermore, our law precludes a finding of guilt or liability in the circumstances specified in Section 49 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. “

The ICAC challenging elements of the CAP media release, adding that "the position taken by Greg Hittelman does not reflect the correspondence exchanged."