Former Finance Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Asot Michael.
Picture by LUKE FRAZZA/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Police in Antigua say they’re probing the homicide of outstanding parliamentarian Asot Michael who was discovered with a number of stab wounds at his property on Tuesday.
Michael, 54, listed as the primary lawmaker to have been elected independently of the 2 primary events, had not too long ago made amends of his fall out with the Antigua and Barbuda Labor Occasion (ABLP) after years of disagreement with its management.
Authorities say they’ve requested the US FBI to assist them probe the dying of Michael whose profession has been dogged by persistent allegations of corruption.
Michael had served as commerce and funding minister in an ABLP cupboard however was pressured to resign just below a decade in the past within the midst of an alleged bribery scandal involving British billionaire property developer Peter Virdee. As soon as information of the scandal broke, Prime Minister Gaston Browne pressured him from the cupboard, resulting in a bitter fall out with Browne and different celebration leaders.
Police say they’ve a suspect of Jamaican ancestry in custody however should not releasing additional particulars, saying solely the person was nabbed as he was making an attempt to flee the jurisdiction.
Michael’s household stated in an announcement on Wednesday that “we’re working intently with authorities to grasp the circumstances of his passing and urge anybody with info to come back ahead. That is an extremely troublesome time through which we kindly ask for privateness as we grieve and start to navigate the enormity of this loss. Asot devoted his life to the service of Antigua and Barbuda. A passionate advocate for his constituents, he was recognized for his unwavering dedication, resilience, and dedication to the folks of St. Peter’s. His legacy of public service, compassion, generosity, and tireless work on behalf of his nation will ceaselessly be remembered.”
Talking for his authorities, PM Browne additionally recalled that Michael had served as works minister underneath the Lester Chicken administration about 20 years in the past. He additionally spoke of the interval when their friendship had gone south.
“Through the ABLP’s 10 years in opposition in parliament, he labored diligently with me and others to return the ABLP to authorities in 2014. After our victory within the 2014 basic elections, I appointed him as a minister in our administration. Though our relationship turned strained for a interval and his formal affiliation with the celebration ended, he maintained his curiosity within the political lifetime of the nation, contesting the 2023 basic elections as an unbiased candidate and was re-elected because the unbiased member of parliament for St. Peter. The dying of Asot Michael is a profound loss to his household, buddies, and constituents,” Browne stated.
