“The National Police on the Island of Sal is openly defying a judicial order” – Dr Jose Manuel Pinto Monteiro

His Excellency Alex Saab has now been held kidnapped by Cape Verde, under instructions from the United States, for 474 days. During this time, he has been physically and psychologically tortured, denied most his most basic human rights including access to specialist health care which, as a cancer patient, he must have.

On 31 August, the Barlavento Court of Appeal ordered that Alex Saab be transferred from the Island of Sal to Praia because his health is deteriorating to the point where it is causing us and his physicians real concern.

Yet 30 days after the Barlavento Court order, Alex Saab remains held under an oppressive regime of house arrest, without the medical attention he urgently needs.
It is clear that those guarding Alex Saab have been told they must do whatever it takes to stall his transfer to Praia and to continue a routine of cruel, sadistic behaviour with the aim of breaking him physically and mentally. Under whose instructions? For what end result? For whose benefit?

The people of Cape Verde need to know that their police is openly defying their judiciary. The people of Cape Verde must understand the crimes that are being
committed in their name.

As nation we cannot stop telling the world how much better than our neighbours we are. Yet today Alex Saab’s health is being used in political game in which Cape Verde should never have become involved. It is shameful that there are those at the highest levels of executive authority who think it perfectly acceptable that the life of an innocent man can be sacrificed to fulfil the political objects of others.

Praia, 29 September 2021