Skerrit denies allegations of his government’s involvement in Mehul Choksi’s arrival in Dominica

PM Skerrit addressing the Mehul Choksi matter during matter during his Anou Pale programme

Prime Minister Rosoovelt Skerrit has declared that his government’s hands are clean as it relates to the mysterious arrival of Mehul Choksi on Dominica’s shores.

The 62-year-old diamantaire who is Indian born but holds citizenship from Antigua and Barbuda is wanted by Indian judicial authorities for allegedly cheating the Punjab National Bank of two billion US dollars.

Whilst police in Dominica claim that Choksi entered the court illegally and have since charged him with that offence, Choksi, through his attorneys, alleges that he was kidnapped, beaten and unwillingly brought to Dominica.

The matter has attracted significant media attention and Dominica has found its way at the focal point of the issue.

The police and the government have remained tightlipped on the situation however, when questioned by the media on his weekly annou palay show, Skerrit labelled claims of allegations of a plot between his government and the governments of  Antigua and India, as “total nonsense.”

“To say that the government of Dominica and the government of Antigua along with India  colluded in any way, give me a break, that’s total nonsense. We don’t get involved ourselves in those kinds of activities, those practices, not at all. I mean that is absurd and we reject it and it is unfortunate that anybody would want to propagate this unsubstantiated claim  by a gentleman who is before the courts,” he contended.

The Prime Minister further vowed that his government will evenly apply the law irrespective of who is accused of committing any crimes.

He said,  such was the case with Iranian born, Dominican citizenship holder and diplomat, Alireza Zibahalat Monfared who was wanted by the Iranian government for allegedly embezzling billions of dollars while the country evaded international oil sanctions.

Monfared  was arrested in the Dominican Republic in 2017 following a lengthy international manhunt.

“You saw all this talk about Monfared. Had he stayed in Dominica at the time that the Iranian  government had asked for him, we would have apprehended him,” Skerrit stated, adding “There was a discussion and a decision to apprehend him so that the Iranian authorities could present to us the charges. Mr, Monfared was a Dominican citizen but we hold a brief to the international law, our responsibilities and our obligations.”

Opposition Leader and leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) Lennox Linton, has insisted that the government was involved in a cover-up on behalf of the Iranian national and ex-Dominican diplomat who was arrested on allegations of being involved in his country’s biggest-ever corruption scandal. He claims that the government of Dominica refused to cooperate with the government of Iran on the extradition of Monfared to face trial.

Linton is alleging that the Iranian authorities had made their interest in Monfared known to the government of Dominica prior to January 20, 2016. He maintains that Monfared lived in Dominica until September 2016, months after the January 20, 2016 date on which the government said his diplomatic passport was revoked.

After news broke of Monfared’s arrest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on his status saying that he became citizen of Dominica, and eventually a diplomat, following a comprehensive due diligence investigation.

Skerrit went urged his opponents, mainly United Workers Party (UWP) supporters and the party’s leader, to not be selective in matters they support especially when it’s of a similar nature.

“I’m hearing Dominicans, especially the opposition, talking about Mr Choksi but there’s a young boy from Grand Bay, facing extradition to theUSVI and we heard nothing from the opposition in that matter,” he argued. “So we cannot want to be treating different people differently depending on who they are or how much money they may have. All of us are subjected to the laws irrespective of our position or how much money we have or we don’t have.”

The Prime Minister said his government will allow the court to carry out its process regarding Choksi and gave the assurance that his rights and obligations will be respected by Dominica.

Skerrit also expressed support for the government of Antigua in its move to revoke Choksi’s citizenship.

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30 Comments

  1. Bring back the kidnapped parrots
    July 5, 2021

    What did and does yours truly know and when did he know it and is now trying to cover it up, he needs to be put in a chair under a bright light and questioned so they can get the truth.

  2. Wey papa
    July 4, 2021

    I remember this drunkard in Mahaut, who smote his chest so forcefully while staggering under the influence of some cheap Rum and said loudly, “MY HEART IS AS WHITE AS SNOW.” It’s extremely dangerous when someone lies and cares less of the consequences. It harms everyone! In this Choksi case, it’s harming Dominica daily. Dominica deserves a much better leader. Let’s pray for one soon.

  3. It's my damn business
    July 4, 2021

    When the moment is right and suiting Skerrit will even deny the fact that he is a man, though he knows he is a man. So I am not surprised he denies his alleged involvement in the Mehul Choksi kidnapped case

  4. Xianglung
    July 2, 2021

    Yoe chebey chalkie !!

  5. Bring back the kidnapped parrots
    July 2, 2021

    Yours truly needs his bank account in Florida watched to see if there are any large deposits of possible ransom money payments from India.

  6. Original
    July 2, 2021

    have you ever heard a criminal confess to his involvement in a crime? this man is a career criminal and he will not confess to his crimes but this does not mean that he has not participated in said crime. this is why the investigators ought to do their jobs competently and weed out the criminals.

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      July 2, 2021

      Hope the Investigators report do not surprise you!
      What you think maybe the other way wrong. Be careful!

      • Original
        July 5, 2021

        All the independent investigators have to do is surprise me then!

  7. July 2, 2021

    How did the Chuksi matter even become political???

    • %
      July 3, 2021

      Because THREE corrupt politicians are involved.

  8. The Mis boss
    July 2, 2021

    My, my, my, what silvery oiled language that emanates from an orifice bent on mis-direction, mis-leading, and outright half-truths and untruths. ” Had he stayed in Dominica at the time that the Iranian government had asked for him, we would have apprehended him,” Skerrit stated. So, when did he stay in Dominica? was it before the Iranians were looking for him? From what I have read, the dates and time frames don’t seem to add up. But as we all know, the all-knowing, all-doing “I run things” always has an answer, even if research was not done before giving these answers. Dominica has an omniscient and ubiquitous leader, who prefers his own counsel to suit himself and desires praise for these misguided affectations.

  9. LifeandDeath
    July 2, 2021

    “We don’t get involved ourselves in those kinds of activities, those practices, not at all”
    Of course not, they get others to do it. “we don’t get involved ourselves”

    This guy!!..SMH!!

  10. Bricks
    July 2, 2021

    We will know soon.we can’t trust your words skerrit time will tell why was the head of the police force at the beach to receive tuski

  11. I Must Admit
    July 2, 2021

    As a fellow laborite I have never seen PM looking so afraid and worried.

  12. Jonathan Y St Jean
    July 1, 2021

    Liar, liar, your pants are on fire 🔥. You know that you are lying, and we know that you know that you are lying. That’s what you’ve been doing all along. Why did the police deny legal access to Choksi and his lawyers had to file a writ of habeas corpus? If Choksi entered Dominca illegally then why is there a lawyer representing the Indian authorities in a Dominca legal matter of illegal entry? Why did a private plane from India arrive in Dominca so soon after Choksi arrived in Dominca? How come Choksi got a letter from Blackmore on arrival in Dominica? Do Haitians who enter illegally get such a letter delivered by the police chief? You brought up the Monfared matter because you know that it was germane to the issue at hand. Monfared was not brought to Dominca. Also Monfared wasn’t a citizen of Antigua. It’s alleged that you were in Portsmouth when Choksi arrived, can you tell us why?Instruct Blackmore to deport Choksi back to Antigua to prove you aren’t involved.

  13. BobD
    July 1, 2021

    Mr Choksi have blown open the perils of CITIZENSHIP by Investment. Mr Skerritt and his best “FRIEND” Mr Brown, might be swimming in some muddy waters created by passport selling.The simple fact is that, Mr Choksi is a CROOK with people in high places as can be seen in resent developments, Dominica is the JOKER in the pack of crumbling “marked” cards. When CITIZENSHIP is VESTED on the likes of Mr Choksi, it usually corrupts the fabric the passport was made from. The price that Dominica is presently paying, may not have anything to show, but embarrassment.

  14. Ibo France
    July 1, 2021

    Every objective person knows Mr. Skerrit is an impulsive, compulsive, congenital, pathological, habitual and diseased LIAR. If you believe that this guy is a truthful person, you would also believe that the devil is without sins.

    On arrival to the shores of Dominica, Mr. Choksi was battered, bloodied and severely injured. Any rational person having this evidence can only conclude that something was amiss.

    Vaccine diplomacy seems to have Mr. Choksi tied up in Dominica with the intention of trading vaccines in exchange for a human being. These vaccines from India were no gift as most of us first thought, it’ was just a strict business transaction.

  15. Bwa-Banday
    July 1, 2021

    The thing that chaps my Ahass is mister does lie with a straight face. If Jesus Christ was sitting next to him I believe he would given him a patam slap in his face. Oh bro Skerro, your days of glory will some come to an end my friend. :twisted: :twisted:

    Tik tok, tik tok can you hear me now! Gooooood!

  16. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    July 1, 2021

    Roosevelt; Mr. doctor Punjab, anybody who would loose their head (mind) to believe that you the one man Dominica government in Dominica hands are clean; and out of the Mehul Choksi abduction and transported to Dominica; would have to be crazy!
    Smart-man Dominica Bajan Dullfus; how do you account for Mehul abducted; in Antigua, put unto a boat and brought to Dominica; where it is Alleged that your chief of police was on a Dominica police boat in the ocean awaiting Choksi, arrival, and took him into custody?

    Roosevelt your contention makes absolutely no sense at all!

    How come this man was not taken to St. Kitts, Nevis; or Montserrat which are closer to Antigua; how come the boat sailed pass Guadeloupe, and eventually meet a Dominica boat in a secluded area of Dominica, where your police arrested him in the ocean?
    Roosevelt Dominicans acquiesced to your crap, but make no mistake about it they know corruption, and illegal activities when we encounter illegal and corrupted crimes.

  17. Bre
    July 1, 2021

    Would anyone with half a brain buy a used care from this guy named Roosevelt Skerrit? – The engine runs well and the care is nice………..Well a fool and his money are separated very easily. Skerrit you should stop talking because the walls around you are coming down- Mark those words Mr. Big stuff- we will see how big you are when all is said and done Mr. ‘Truth Teller.’

  18. %
    July 1, 2021

    Liar Skerrit, you really taking all Dominicans for your colony of clowns, but now you are the lying clown. Your statement is so unconvincing shallow and empty. Gaston has told us enough, go back into your long days of hibernation, “”moo moo ism”” and guilt, and DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE CASE…Can you tell the world why you did not have any “”ANOU PARLAY SOT”” comedy on May 23rd, and where in the north were you?? Who else were with you??? This time not even corrupt lawyers from the pit of hell can deny that corrupt and lying fake leaders and con artists from Dominica, Antigua and India masterminded Choksi’s disappearance from Antigua to Dominica. When you, lying Skerrit are talking to Dominicans, yoh must never believe all of us are a crowd of labourites who clap and jump in glee at your fetid lies.
    FIRE CONSUME ALL LIARS!!!
    LIAR!!!

  19. Bond
    July 1, 2021

    You claim NO INVOLVEMENT? Let’s wait and see. Apparently Scotland Yard officer are already in Antigua and the US is looking into the matter as well. Let’s wait and see, Skerrit. Do you know what actually happened in the treasury sub office in Portsmouth. Why did your police force break in? Let’s hear it!

  20. WeNiceMan
    July 1, 2021

    I am a patriotic objective Dominican with no political leanings.

    However I do not need anybody to convince me that all three(3) governments – India, Antigua and Dominica – were involved in this.

    Looking at this objectively, nothing makes sense as being put forward by the Antiguan and Dominican authorities. As much I do not want to believe that my government could be be involved in such high international conspiracy, there is no other convincing rational for this.

    What I ask myself though is..Why? Why did we get ourselves mixed up in this? What’s in it for us?

  21. Agent
    July 1, 2021

    OMG Skerrit! It is proven that the chief of police and Blackmore were at the Cabrits when Choksi got dumped there. You, Skerrit, were seen at the same time just 400 yards away, just around the corner in the Kempinski. You are trying to tell us that was pure coincidence? You think you are so clever, but believe me there are people in DA that are 10 times cleverer than you are. We will get you of your high horse!

  22. Man bite dogs
    July 1, 2021

    I just knew that they UWP gutter dogs would try putting the blame on Mr Skerrit, if that was the case why was Lennox Linton, and friends was so involved in Mr. Choksi, problem and now the water is getting hotter they trying to run away or distance from Mr Choksi, tooo late now!

  23. Braindamage
    July 1, 2021

    There’s a big “L” across King Liars forehead…

    • Viewsexpressed
      July 4, 2021

      “Mr Real Brain 🧠 Damage” You seem to be principle one 👍 being this “Big LIAR” you are!
      So Mr. “King of LIARS’ your forehead said it all. Stop pointing your finger☝️at people when Four of your be are pointed back at YOU. Nice👍 One.
      Don’t throw stones at others if you live in a Glass House 🏘️ 🏠.
      Hope you capture this thought. Stay Away from this Failed Skerrit, focus on our Ailing Dominica’and our unemployed Young People hoping to have jobs and reduced to begging for loyalty from this Failed Fake Incompetent LABOUR GOVERNMENT under this Failed Immature Visionless Skerrit.
      Gods Blessings 🙏 and Guidance 😂.
      Our Dominica comes First.
      Skerrit and his Failed Labour Party has Failed our People and our Dominica. Skerrit is NOT Leadership Material.
      His most prestigious activity in our Government was this Deceptive Bobolistic, corrupted deceitfulness Red Clinic. How Shameful.
      SKERRIT Get the Hell Out of our Government.
      We welcome the UWP under its distinguished Experienced…

  24. Goldy JB
    July 1, 2021

    Skerrit the only people who believe anything you say are those who drank your kool-Aid… you have been lying so often and for so long and you are not getting better at it.

    • Buddy
      July 5, 2021

      Even some of them are doubting him. Too many things that just don’t add up!

  25. Toto
    July 1, 2021

    Yes Sir, your hands are as clean as your conscience, that is if you have one, yes Sir.

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