Those individuals who were part of efforts to discredit the name of Antigua and Barbuda and its elected and other officials over the Alfa Nero issue may very well have to answer in a court of law for their involvement in this sordid affair.
Director General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maurice Merchant said those involved in attempts to besmirch the name and reputation of the country ‘should not go scot free’.
“The government is resolute in its position that those who defame government, country and government officials will receive the necessary reaction from the government; they will not go unpunished,” he declared.
This comes as the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which quashed every subpoena issued at the request of Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov—daughter of the sanctioned Russian national who owned the super-yacht Alfa Nero—against Prime Minister Gaston Browne, members of his family, senior Government officers, and several private companies.
This ruling confirms what the Government has said from the outset: the application had no merit, no legal foundation, and no legitimate purpose. It was a fishing expedition aimed at harassing the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, its Prime Minister, and others through false and malicious allegations.
Merchant said there are local elements who were engaged in colluding, even abetting with Yulia, in a campaign to undermine the reputation of Prime Minister Browne in the international space.
“In this Alfa Nero matter, they were aided by individuals here in Antigua and Barbuda, some would say abetted even, and it can be considered criminal, what was done to the country at this time; to the country’s image; and the image of its officials,” Merchant explained.
According to Merchant the government is currently receiving legal advice on the issue before making a final determination.
