Slovak Karol Mello free on bail

Karol Mello

Karol Mello, an alleged crime boss in Central Europe’s underworld, wanted in Slovakia for a series of crimes he reportedly orchestrated, including the slaughter of a mother and son in a botched hit, is tonight a free man after being granted Supreme Court bail by Justice Denis Hanomansingh.  The forty-two year old broker, who was in detention for over a month, was arraigned on perjury and other immigration offences immediately following a decision by Justice Oswell Legall, who ordered Mello’s release from the Belize Central Prison last Friday.  Those charges, described by Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck as frivolous, were filed in the Cayo Judicial District where Mello purportedly committed the offences.  According to Marshalleck, the allegations were brought against Mello in a last minute attempt by the Government of Belize to keep him in custody while efforts were being made to expel him from the country in the absence of an extradition treaty with Slovakia.  While Mello was able to meet bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars, he is scheduled to appear in the Belmopan Magistrates Court on Monday to answer to the charges.  Marshalleck, following today’s bail hearing, told the media that the time during which the charges could have been levied has long since expired.

Andrew Marshalleck, Attorney for Karol Mello

Andrew Marshalleck

“The most important thing is that Mr. Mello has been granted bail so after all the paperwork has been done he should be released, unless, of course, somebody decides maybe to charge him with something else.  It’s important for that reason.  It is also important because just looking at the papers and a cursory look at the material before the court demonstrated that the charges are really very frivolous. I think given the fact that the nature of the charges was such that one charge cannot succeed because it’s beyond the limitation period and the other charge of perjury is highly suspect given that the documents which allegedly contains the false information weren’t signed under oath and can’t support perjury.  And given the fact that Mr. Mello has a constitutional right to his liberty those, I think, weighed in favor of granting him bail as it would for any other accused person.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now he will be appearing in the Belmopan Magistrates Court next week with regards to these particular charges that were brought against him.  How favorable would this be for him going forward?”

Andrew Marshalleck

“Well the trial will proceed in normal course.  He will be out on bail, that’s all this decision is about. There are no serious charges, it weighs in the balance.  There’s no real reason to keep Mr. Mello in prison when he’s facing these charges that are really of no serious moment.”

Karol Mello is being represented by Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith on whose behalf Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck appeared during his absence.