Honduran ex-president Hernandez arrested as US seeks extradition

Gulf Today Report

Police arrested former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on Tuesday, escorting him from his home in handcuffs and chains, following a US extradition request on drug charges that marked a dramatic fall from grace only weeks after Hernandez left power.

In live footage shown on national TV, police officials gave Hernandez a bullet-proof vest and placed a chain between his handcuffed wrists and ankles before taking him to a nearby base for police special forces in Tegucigalpa, the capital.

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The arrest came less than three weeks after Hernandez left office and followed years of allegations by US prosecutors of his alleged links to drug traffickers.

Hernandez was shown seated at a table where doctors undertook a medical examination in front of the media, including unbuttoning his shirt to put a stethoscope on his chest, according to live HCH Noticias images. Hernandez was then driven away.

Juan Orlando Hernandez is seen handcuffed at the headquarters of the Honduras Police in Tegucigalpa.

Hernandez exited his home flanked by police, shackled at the wrists and ankles, and wearing a bulletproof jacket. He got into a police vehicle and was driven away. A police helicopter waiting nearby took flight and appeared to be escorting the caravan.

The Supreme Court of Justice had designated a judge Tuesday morning to handle the case and hours later the judge signed an order for Hernández's arrest, said court spokesman Melvin Duarte. The security ministry, which had Hernández's home surrounded since Monday evening, moved quickly to take him into custody.

Hernandez had vowed to cooperate with domestic justice authorities, saying in an audio message on Twitter he was "ready to collaborate and to come voluntarily."

Hernandez said he would "confront this situation and defend myself."

Juan Orlando Hernandez stands after being detained by National Police in Tegucigalpa on Tuesday. Reuters

On Monday, a Honduran official, who declined to be named, confirmed to AFP that Washington had asked for Hernandez to be extradited, as hundreds of special forces agents surrounded the ex-president's home.

Hernandez, who left office last month after eight years and two terms in office, has been linked to drug trafficking operations by New York prosecutors.

His lawyer, Hermes Ramirez, said the police deployment to Hernandez's home constituted an "attack" on his rights as it had denied him access to his advisers.

Lawyer Ramirez insisted on Monday that his client enjoyed immunity from prosecution as a member of the Guatemala-based Central American Parliament, Parlacen.

Hernandez joined Parlacen hours after leaving office on January 27, when leftist Xiomara Castro was sworn in with vows to transform the "bankrupt" state he left behind.