One Year Later, No Arrests in Budna’s Abduction
More than a year after Joseph Budna was abducted and handed over to Guatemalan authorities, troubling questions remain unanswered. Budna had long been wanted in Guatemala after escaping custody while serving sentences for criminal convictions. But despite widespread speculation about who orchestrated his removal from Belize, investigators have reported no arrests, detentions or criminal charges. The controversial case even led Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado to step away from his duties for a period. Now, as renewed attention turns to the stalled investigation, Rosado is once again facing questions about why no one has been held accountable.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“I will acknowledge that we have received the file from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution. A number of directive were given and those directive are being comply with. Please appreciate that investigation we cannot complete – many investigation we cannot complete overnight. And during the investigation the guidance that have been provided by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, we have made some significant accomplishment during the process.”
Reporter
“We understand that guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions in terms of handing over the vehicle that belongs to Budna, to his family, that’s been ignored, likewise, like the tablet and so that was confiscated from his brother.”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“Please appreciate that for us to be able to hand over property to any individual, we, it must come with the authority from the owner of that individual. Handing that, those properties to any individual without the proper documentation from the owner, it open the police department to liability.”
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