Minister Musa: “Regardless of Outcome, Budna’s Case Warrants Independent Investigation”

Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa says the video circulating on social media showing the abduction of Joseph Budna “leaves a lot to be answered.”

Musa told News 5 he saw the footage for the “first time” when it was released earlier this week.

“The prime minister called me and requested that we wrap up the investigation and deliver the file by today,” he stated.

The report is expected to be handed over to Prime Minister John Briceño today, according to Musa. He said he’s been in communication with Police Commissioner, Dr. Richard Rosado, who has has ensured and assured that it’s going to be ready by 4:00 o’clock this evening.”

Musa defended the time taken to complete the investigation stating that “Investigations take a while in any given case, and this particular case is no different,” he said.

Musa says the video shows “a police officer coming to the scene” and adds, “You can’t make out the faces based on the video footage, but the person then tells him to leave. That has raised a huge question. And so the prime minister has said that after receiving the investigative report from the police department, he will decide whether or not we need to have an independent investigation.”

Minister Musa is of the position that “regardless of the outcome of the investigation by police, because of this particular case, in terms of openness and transparency, it warrants an independent investigation.”