By Belize Live News Staff: The attorney for Alberto August, Mike Peyrefitte, has spoken out on his client’s arrest, insisting it should never have happened, while suggesting the saga may have played a part in exposing deeper issues within the governing party.
August, a former UDP chairman, had been charged under the Cybercrime Act after a complaint from then Minister Oscar Mira. That case was later dropped on the instruction of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Reflecting on the fallout in an interview with 7News, Peyrefitte shared his interpretation of events.
“I think even Mr. August could say… that as a result of that, corruption is being exposed in the PUP,” he told 7News, tying August’s ordeal to a series of political developments. “We see the fall of Marin, we see the fall of Mira, following the fall of Mai.” He then issued a warning to others in government, remarking, “I think Musa and Martinez need to be very careful because the M’s are not doing very well in this PUP government.”
These remarks reflect Peyrefitte’s own views. The procurement controversy involving Mira remains the subject of an ongoing audit, and no conclusions have been reached.
The attorney did not hold back in criticising the manner of August’s arrest. “It should never have happened,” he said, questioning why “armed police officers” had “stormed Alberto’s house, threatened his family with arrest and detention,” and detained him for nearly 48 hours, only for the matter to later be abandoned.
Peyrefitte also drew attention to a broader concern about fairness. He suggested that August’s standing ensured his case was noticed, while ordinary Belizeans in similar situations might be overlooked. “What happens when it happens to the regular man on the street?” he asked. “Not everybody has an audience like Alberto August. Not everybody is established like Alberto August.”
