By Belize Live News Staff: Four foreign nationals and two Belizeans were charged on Thursday in connection with an illegal entry into Belize. The foreigners, Emil Dasdamirov, 30; Mistaftar OgluAsgarov, 33; Karman Amurili, and Gilson Fernandes Junior, 32, pleaded guilty to entering Belize illegally through the banks of the Mopan River in Benque Viejo Del Carmen.
The men expressed remorse, explaining they had been misinformed during their travels and believed they could enter Belize with their European visas. Each was fined $1,000 plus court costs and will be deported from Belize.
Two Belizeans, Jasmine Margaret Espat, 28, a store manager, and Samuel Alexander Peters, a traffic officer, were charged with facilitating the commission of a crime. They admitted to transporting the foreigners after their illegal entry for a promised payment of $500.
Espat and Peters cited financial hardship as their motivation, detailing struggles with a sick child, a struggling business, and recent health issues. They expressed remorse and shame for their actions.
The presiding Magistrate acknowledged their guilty plea but stressed the seriousness of the offense. While refraining from imposing jail time due to their clean records, she fined each of them $1,000 and court costs. Espat was ordered to pay her fine immediately or face imprisonment, while Peters was given until July 31, 2024.
The four foreign nationals remain in Department of Immigration custody awaiting arrangements for their return to their home countries.
