Attorney Questions Lack of Charges in Budna Abduction Case

Attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley is questioning why no charges have been brought against the men believed to be police officers seen in the video footage connected to the abduction of Joseph Budna.

Bradley described the Cabinet’s decision as an “executive finding.” He said the initial report should have already led to charges.

“The three officers who are seen on video, who are known, because you can tell who they are if you are in the police department, they are to be charged. They were seen beating, and they were seen taking away a man who ended up in enemy territory. They should be charged now. There is no hold-up with that. Why have they not been charged?” Bradley said.

He suggested that the delay may be linked to the severity of the potential charges. Kidnapping, he said, carries a lengthy prison sentence and cannot be settled with a fine.

“Because if they are charged, kidnapping in this country is many years in prison. They’re not going to pay any fine to any person who is accused and is proven to have kidnapped anybody.”

Bradley also pointed to the lack of public confidence in the police department. “There is a problem of trust between we, the citizens, and that department, which basically runs itself. There is no oversight on the police,” he added.

This week Cabinet confirmed that Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado was cleared of involvement and reinstated after 23 days of the initial 45-day leave. The cabinet also recommended the public-requested independent investigation be carried out into Budna’s abduction.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar-Panton called the case a “national disgrace” and accused the Briceño administration of a “state-sanctioned kidnapping and now a cover-up.”