ABC News Australia
Police have arrested former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández at his home, following a request by the United States for his extradition on drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Key points:
- Former president Juan Orlando Hernández was dogged by accusations of corruption during his eight-year tenure
- His brother is currently serving a life sentence in the US for drug trafficking
- Mr Hernández has denied all charges and may have immunity after joining the Guatemala-based Central American Parliament
The arrest came shortly after a Honduran judge signed an arrest order and less than three weeks after Mr Hernández left office.
It follows years of allegations by US prosecutors of the Honduran leader’s alleged links to drug traffickers.
Mr Hernández exited his home flanked by police, shackled at the wrists and ankles, and wearing a bulletproof jacket.
He entered a police vehicle and was driven away.
A police helicopter that had been waiting nearby took flight, but appeared to just be escorting the caravan.
The Supreme Court of Justice had designated a judge to handle the case and hours later the judge signed the order for Mr Hernández’s arrest, a court spokesman said.
The security ministry, which had Mr Hernández’s home surrounded since Monday evening, moved quickly to arrest him.
Speaking to a local TV channel before the arrest, Mr Hernández’s lawyer Hermes Ramirez said the police deployment constituted an “attack” on the ex-president’s rights as it had prevented advisers from coming to the residence.
Mr Hernández has repeatedly denied any involvement in drug trafficking.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-15/us-honduras-drugs-trafficking-hernandez-arrested/100833272
