"International Fugitive" Nickolas Spanos exclusive interview

"International Fugitive" Nickolas Spanos tells all in this interview with Virginia Corrupt Lawyers.

We have reached out to Nickolas Spanos for an interview and he has agreed to tell his side of the on going controversy with Henrico County Commonwealth Attorneys Howard Vick, Wade Kizer and Shannon Taylor that has reached 20 years.

We emailed both HCCA Shannon Taylor and ex-HCCA Howard Vick for comments but neither returned our emails to tell their side of the story.

VCL contacted HCCA Shannon Taylor and former HCCA Howard T. Vick for an interview but they did not care to comment on the Commonwealth v. Spanos case.

VCL: Why did you flee Virginia just before the Multi-jurisdictional Grand Jury hearings on December 03, 1998?

Spanos: For numerous reasons, the first being that I was told that leaving for Greece was an option by HCCA Howard Vick during a meeting with 2 HCP detectives and my Attorney Murray Janus, at the time I thought it was the best option considering that Murray Janus has also advised me to "take a vacation" for a while. The grand jury hearings were scheduled for early December 1998, since a subpoena was not issued for me or was I told there would be one issued for me, I exercised my right to travel.

VCL: How long did you stay in hiding upon arriving in Greece?

Spanos: I never hid in Greece or anywhere else, everyone knew my exact address, telephone number and how to contact me.

VCL: When you state everyone, please be specific.

Spanos: My family, friends, my enemies, HCCA/HCP, U.S. State department, U.S. Embassy Athens, Henrico County Commissioner of Accounts, my lawyers McGuire, Woods, Battle and Murray Janus, my accountants, the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Department. All of them knew my exact address in Athens, Greece, as well as my telephone number and email. I renewed my US passport in September 2006 and had listed my address on the renewal application. My address in Greece has been the same for 18 years.

VCL: Did you feel that you would get a fair trial?

Spanos: Not at all, in fact the system does not allow a fair trial, for instance, the Grand jury issued 13 indictments against me for "conspiracy to distribute cocaine". Each charge carries a 40 year sentence and a $500,000 fine for each count, that totals 520 years in prison and a $6.5 million fine if convicted. A lawyer to defend me in such a trial would cost $150,000, now if I plea bargain, the worst case scenario would have been that I would be sentenced to 10 years and only having to serve 1-2 years, possibly less with work release. The news media had already tried me, so tell me, even being innocent, a man would still plead guilty to such charges just to not take the risk of conviction.

VCL: Were there any other factors that led you to flee for Greece?

Spanos: Numerous, another strong reason was the persecution and violation of my constitutional rights, especially in 1996-98. Henrico county detectives were constantly following me, in restaurants, bars, activities with friends & family, they were even coming to my private residence in Hanover county and stealing my trash, so they could go through it. Henrico police helicopters were flying over my home constantly, even one of the detectives came to my house with his wife, asking to see the inside since they admired it from the road passing by. He did not announce he was a detective so I let them both in for a viewing, they wanted to see each room, closet, bathroom and area. I later recognized the detective in my meeting with HCCA Howard Vick. Another major incident was on a night I had been stopped by 7 Henrico Police cars with 10 officers for a "routine traffic stop", they were mostly undercover except for a couple of them, one being a detective Anthony Mehfoud. They claimed I had drugs in the car and insisted a search, which I refused, despite my refusal, they proceeded a complete search, tearing my car apart, in which they found nothing. Despite having a Florida drivers license, I was arrested for driving without a Virginia drivers license, the charge was dropped later. I met with a few attorneys to seek advise of what was happening, one was a previous deputy HCCA who worked with Howard Vick. All three advised me to be very careful and that the HCP would likely plant drugs on me or my possessions. The HCP had spent hundreds of man hours investigating and tracking me but could not obtain incriminating evidence, they were so frustrated that the chances of being framed were high.

VCL: While in Greece, just after the Grand jury indictments being issued and announced in the Richmond Times Dispatch that you were the "hub of a cocaine organization that distributed more than 600 kilos in the Richmond, Virginia area", you were interviewed by the Richmond Times Dispatch and stated it was a "witch hunt", do you still stand by that statement?

Spanos: Witch hunt? No, it is a strong case of oppression and persecution, what would you call when HCCA Howard Vick makes such wild accusations without any material evidence? Claiming 600 kilos of cocaine distributed without 1 grain of cocaine being confiscated, no money transactions, only a mysterious "black book" that never existed. The only "evidence" presented to the grand jury was the testimony of 13 drug addicts, unnamed in the indictments, who cut deals and walk away with immunity. Is this a justice system, playing lets "make a deal"? Let us see the outcome if no immunity was offered. We have absolute proof that the Grand Jury indictments were built on lies, intimidation, deceit and perjury.

VCL: Have you seen the Grand Jury indictments and when was the first time?

Spanos: Yes I have, the first time was about the 1st week of March 2013, when my older sister obtained a copy from the Henrico county Circuit court clerks office and sent them to me. I had been arrested in the Philippines on October 18, 2012 by Philippines Immigration and assisted by the U.S. Embassy/ FBI on instructions by HCCA Shannon Taylor. I had was waiting to be extradited, four months passed by and no extradition request had been submitted by the HCCA, I was supposed to be released on the 60th day of my arrest but the Philippines immigration refused, stating their reason was that the U.S. DOJ/HCCA was to extradite me. My Philippine lawyer instructed me to get authenticated copies since neither the Philippines Immigration or the U.S. Embassy Manila has provided them.

VCL: Did you see anything in the grand jury indictments that were suspicious?

Spanos: Yes, many suspicious items and perjury by the HCP detective and HCCA Howard Vick. Throughout the indictments, they presented a witness named Dr. Hugh Williams M.D., the Virginia Medical Board has issued a certificate that there is no Dr. Hugh Williams M.D. in the Virginia or national database, only a Hugh Williams who was licensed as a Radiologic technologist in 2002. Why does the HCP and HCCA have to present a false witness for credibility? This is perjury. Another strong point is that Witness L, main witness unnamed is my ex-girlfriend Sierra E. Cooke, who I had been in a long and nasty custody battle over our son, she has a documented suicide attempt in which she was held in St. Mary's Hospital for 48 hour suicide watch. Their main witness has a history of mental illness and is unstable. We also have strong evidence that Sierra E. Cooke had personal relations with at least one of the investigating detectives, Also, the dates of the alleged offences do not match or are inaccurate, they state from January 01, 1987 to December 31, 1998, these alleged drug transactions occurred. First off, I was in Greece from November 28, 1998, how is it possible i made drug transactions? Then, if the drug transactions took place from January 01, 1987 to December 31, 1998, 11 whole years, what was the HCP doing all this time? You are following me around everywhere, searching my home and my car illegally but yet you find nothing or catch me in any illegal activities? In a Grand Jury hearing, only the prosecutor is allowed to present "evidence", the "Rules of Court" are completely neglected and the prosecutor can say or do as he pleases like in my case, commit perjury. Is this a justice system?

VCL: How long were you held in a Philippine jail?

Spanos: I was detained for 19 months without an arrest warrant or in violation of Philippine law, I never saw 1 day in court or allowed due process of law. After the Philippines DOJ made numerous requests to HCCA Shannon Taylor for authenticated copies of the Grand jury indictments/arrest documents and she refused them, they decided the only option was to deport me to Greece.

VCL: In a March 01, 2013 RTD news article, HCCA Shannon Taylor stated that you were arrested on unrelated charges and it was unclear whether you would be extradited to Henrico County, any comments?

Spanos: Yes, HCCA Shannon Taylor is a liar, plain and simple. First off, I was detained by instructions from HCCA & U.S. Embassy/FBI to the Philippines Immigration, numerous letters were written by the U.S. Embassy Manila legal attaches, with copies of some information provided by HCP/HCCA. I was charged on October 19, 2012 by Philippine Immigration for being an "undesirable alien", a fugitive from justice. My attorney has the letters, documents from both the U.S. Embassy and Philippine Immigration, HCCA Shannon Taylor has absolutely no evidence I was being held on unrelated charges. As for being unclear whether I would be returned to the United States to face the 13 indictments, Philippines immigration and I waited 19 months for HCCA Shannon Taylor to file an extradition request, which she maliciously refused to do, she let me rot in a Philippine jail with her deliberate negligence.

VCL: After you were deported to Greece, what happened?

Spanos: I was deported on June 01, 2014, during my flight, an Interpol Red Notice was issued for my arrest, upon landing in Athens, Greece, I was arrested by Greek police and detained for 60 days while the HCCA prepared an extradition request. On the last day of the allowed detainment period, the U.S. Embassy Athens presented the Greek DOJ an official extradition request with all the authenticated supporting documents. My detainment was continued until the extradition hearing on September 24, 2014, in which a Greek tribunal denied the HCCA/U.S. Embassy request for extradition. However, under international law, since the extradition was denied, Greece was obligated to prosecute me in the Greek judicial system. My detainment was extended until my trial on March 27, 2015, a Greek tribunal dismissed all the Grand Jury indictments and I was released.

VCL: So the HCCA did not process an extradition request for the entire 19 months detainment in the Philippines but when you arrived in Greece, your protected haven, they attempted an extradition request, is that not suspicious?

Spanos: It is not only suspicious but intentionally conducted in this manner to assure that I would not be returned to the USA. Their actions also violates numerous constitutional rights and due process of law, I will explain. The HCCA had their best chance to have me extradited from the Philippines but they never took action, the Philippines is heavily influenced by the USA, thus an extradition would have been 95% successful. The HCCA was obligated to do whatever possible to bring me to justice in the USA but obviously did not. An extradition request in Greece has a 5% chance of success, being that I was also a Greek national, add in the fact that when the Greek DOJ requested more evidence, HCCA Shannon Taylor never responded just like in the Philippines. In most extradition requests, the U.S. DOJ will retain the services of an attorney to represent their interests and filing motions, etc. In my extradition hearing in Greece, no attorney was assigned to represent the US DOJ or was a motion to appeal filed when the extradition request was denied.

VCL: Was there any media/press coverage of your arrest/extradition trial in Greece or USA?

Spanos: None, as a matter of fact, it has been suppressed by even the Richmond Times Dispatch, they were informed of all the details on the situation but hid the story. It seems that when such a news breaking story happens, the press jumps on it, but why in my case it was kept hidden? Why was my arrest in the Philippines and Greece not announced in the media, usually prosecutors/DOJ officials are quick to issue a news statement to brag of catching an "International Fugitive" who allegedly distributed 600 kilos of cocaine. Unless their case stinks, is weak and built on deception/perjury, some might even say their was some type of bribe or compensation paid to blunder the case. Lets not forget about the personal relationship that "Witness L" aka Sierra E. Cooke allegedly had with at least one of the HCP Detectives.

VCL: Lets touch on this alleged personal relationship that you mentioned a few times in our interview, what evidence or suspicions do you have?

Spanos: I cannot fully disclose the evidence at this point since my attorney will be presenting this during future cases in court against the HCCA/HCP but I can state that "Witness L" aka Sierra E. Cooke admitted to me several times of the close personal relationship of one HCP detective involved in my case. During the investigations, they formed a close and personal bond, from my point of view, I would say she manipulated the detective and used her charm to put ideas and scenarios in his mind, which of course illegally reinforces the prejudice and persecution in my case. 

VCL: Your attorney recently filed a memorandum/motion for "Brady Materials" with your case, please explain the situation with this.

Spanos: That is correct, on December 19, 2017, attorney Rhetta Daniel filed those cases in Henrico Circuit court and notice was served to the HCCA. We had requested in mid-November "Brady Material" as per my constitutional rights and Rules of the Court, HCCA Shannon Taylor refused to provide the evidence that we are legally entitled to, thus forcing my attorney to file court cases to force the HCCA to turn over all evidence that is exculpatory evidence and pertinent to my case. We had just received a letter dated December 20, 2017 from HCCA Shannon Taylor/ Michael Feinmel that they are refusing to provide such evidence and will oppose it in a scheduled hearing.

VCL: The HCCA is opposing to turn over "Brady Material" in your case, why would they oppose since you are legally entitled to?

Spanos: The obvious reason is that there is incriminating evidence against the HCP/HCCA office over the past 20 years against them, violations of constitutional rights, due process of law, perjury, malicious prosecution, oppression, delay of justice, false arrest, making libellous and slanderous public statements and many other violations of law, which would also include some type of bribery/compensation as not to pursue justice. It is a fact that files and documents have gone missing from Henrico Circuit court files, that only the HCCA had access to, is this not suspicious?

VCL: In your opinion, what will be the outcome, do you feel confident in your present/future case?

Spanos: I have always felt confident that there was no material evidence in my case, thus me challenging HCCA Howard Vick in 1998-99 Richmond Times Dispatch news articles, I dared him to have me extradited from Greece, in which he could have easily brought me back. My citizenship in Greece was not formalized until April 2000, all Vick had to do was send a simple fax to the U.S. State department and have my U.S. passport cancelled, in which the State department/U.S. Embassy Athens would have informed Greek authorities. I would have been arrested and deported as an undocumented alien, Vick could have had me back in Henrico County Circuit court within one month of my leaving the USA on November 28, 1998. The final outcome is already known, HCCA Shannon Taylor career is finished, she knows what she has done over the past 5 years and she has been sadly attempting to cover up her, Howard Vick and Wade Kizer's illegal actions. This whole case has been built on lies, deceit and illegal activity by both the HCCA and the HCP. 

VCL: One last question, will you be filing any cases for damages?

Spanos: I can not give any details as to that at this point, all I can state is that my constitutional rights and Due process of law have been violated for over 20 years, my family & friends has suffered greatly, we have all been oppressed and persecuted which has led to embarrassment, prejudice and being ridiculed. My wife & children have suffered greatly both in the Philippines, Greece and the USA. I lost my very successful business, as well as the two orphanages that were supported by my business and have been prevented from future employment/financial ventures because of the HCCA/HCP and to this day still suffer mentally because of their actions. I was illegally arrested and detained for 19 months in a Philippine jail under inhumane conditions, which led to denial of medical care, subject to both physical & mental torture and our human rights violated. All these are the direct actions of the HCCA/HCP. Yes, numerous cases will be filed, once we obtain the "Brady Materials", we will know exactly what transpired.

VCL: Thank you Mr. Spanos for your time.

Imprisoned Senator Leila De Lima faces more criminal complaints filed with OHCHR

Senator De Lima and her criminal syndicate are listed in Criminal Complaint
(Part 2)

Just by coincidence a day before, politicians from around the world voted to award Liberal International’s highest human rights honour – the Prize for Freedom – to imprisoned Philippines political prisoner, Senator Leila de Lima. https://liberal-international.org/news-articles/philippines-political-prisoner-de-lima-receive-lis-top-human-rights-award/

A November 01, 2017 Criminal complaint was filed against:

Department of Justice

Secretary Leila De Lima

Bureau of Immigration

Commissioners 

Ricardo David jr.

Siegfried B. Mison

Abdullah S. Mangotara

Ronaldo P. Ledesma

Chief of Legal

Arvin Cesar Santos

The charges listed are violations of:

United Nations Human rights Treaty violations

1. Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or           Punishment

2. International Convention on Civil and Political Rights Malicious delay of justice

3. Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optical Protocols

Nikolaos George Spanoudis aka Nickolas George Spanos,Greek/USA citizen filed the criminal complaint in which he states:

The Philippines Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration and Commission of Human Rights would be categorized as a "Criminal Syndicate" since there are 6 main Government officials and numerous others involved in the crimes against foreigners.

The Philippines Department of Justice is the parent agency that manages the Bureau of Immigration. Their actions are coordinated between each other. Thus any final decision of the Bureau of Immigration that will be appealed is required to be resolved with the Department of Justice. If the final decision of the DOJ is to be appealed, it then is submitted to the Court of Appeals. This process can take 2 years before reaching the Court of Appeals. Thus this "criminal syndicate" has been prosperous between the 2 agencies by extorting foreigners detained as to have cases resolved in their favour. Paying extortion money has become very profitable for DOJ/BI prosecutors, Commissioners and legal staff.

"The Bureau of Immigration, DOJ and CHR officials listed in this complaint knew that an illegal mission order authorizing the warrantless arrest of Nikolaos George Spanoudis aka Nickolas George Spanos as per BI chief of intelligence Attorney Mangrobang handwritten note. 

Said warrant-less arrest was not pursuant to the Philippines 1985 Rules on Criminal Procedure, Rule 113, sections 5, 8, 11 & 13.

That the circumstances under which the victim was arrested are not one of those provided in above 1985 Rules on Criminal Procedure, where a warrant-less arrest can be made for victim was not committing any offence at the time. Furthermore, according to the ruling of the Supreme Court:

"3. Only judicial officer or any person duly authorized by law can issue warrants of arrest. Such power is not possessed by the then fiscals or state attorneys (Lino vs. Fugoso, et. al., 77 Phil. 933) Under the 1987 Constitution, no warrant of arrest shall issue except under probable cause determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complaint and the persons to be seized (Sec 2, Art. III)

4. No warrant of arrest can be issued by the Immigration Commissioner before the final order of deportation is issued (Neria vs. Vivo, etc., L26611-12, Sept. 30, 1969) and such warrant is confined only to carry out said deportation order (Contemplate vs. Acting Commissioner of Immigration, et al.,L28604, Oct.30, 1970; Collector of Customs vs. Villaluz, etc., et al., L-34038, June 18, 1970)"

On October 18, 2012 , Cebu, Philippines. A team of 6 immigration officers, headed by Armello De Castro, came to my office with an undated "mission order", with a handwritten note by Chief of Intelligence Marie Antionette Bucasas Mangrobang to arrest me:

"For honorable comm. Subjects location has been determined in Cebu, arrest will be effected as soon as this is signed and subject is sighted. 6-17-12"

Mission orders have been deemed illegal by the Philippines Supreme court and the DOJ has issued multiple memorandums to the BI that "Mission orders are not to be used as warrants of arrest". The arresting BI team said the USA embassy/FBI wanted me arrested.

I had retained lawyers, Maria Lara Leah/Rodinel Bugay, they told me that they were told by Immigration Chief Legal Arvin Santos, that I would be deported to USA in 2 weeks, my Greek citizenship would take 3-4 weeks to verify, if I wanted to delay deport to USA, I needed to pay $5000 USD, if I wanted to be released, I needed to pay $50,000 (2 million php).

On October 27, 2012, Immigration informed the newspapers of my arrest and I was using fake names/passports. This was false, immigration did this to use it psychologically to pressure me to pay the extortion money. Newspaper article after arrest to embarrass/threaten/ psychological stress.

On Nov. 05, 2012 I paid $5000 by bank deposit, also provided a bank certificate to prove I had the $50,000 in a bank account.

On Nov. 05, 2012, Greek Embassy Deputy Ambassador Nicholas Verghis issued a letter verifying my passport was authentic. I had only entered the Philippines on my Greek Passport; thus my established nationality was Greek. The only legal action the United States Government could take was a formal request for extradition as per the USA-Philippine extradition treaty of 1994.

Chief of Legal Arvin Santos then wanted $100,000 USD (4 million php) to release me, said that the commissioners needed to be paid. After a few days, I agreed to see his reaction and showing him a verification that I had the money in a bank account.

After a few more days, he wanted $150,000 USD (9 million php) because USA embassy officials needed to be paid. I refused.

On Nov. 19, 2012, my lawyers filed a "Motion to quash the Oct. 19, 2012 charge sheet". By law, they must answer within 30 days.

In late December 2012, lawyers asked me if I was to pay the $150,000 (9 million php), the immigration wanted their Christmas gift, if I did not pay, I was to be deported, I refused again.

On. March 03, 2013 I went to clinic and was checked by nurse that i had an infected tooth and needed medical care, a request for medical pass was sent since there are no dental facilities are there at detention center. No answer was given, I repeated my requests and informed warden that my tooth was in extreme pain and needed dental treatment. No answer again. I was checked by the nurse at facility, who called immigration Dr. Theresa Montenegro, who followed up to executive director Eric Dimaculangan and Commissioner Siegfred Mison. They denied my request for medical care. 

On April 04, 2013 I contacted my lawyer Deborah Daquis and Greek embassy Angelo Tsalsidis, who both came to Bicutan facility to verbally complain to the warden Rev De LA Cruz, stating complaints would be filed against him. About 10 days later, I was taken to a dental clinic in a mall close by. I had to suffer for 43 days before being taken. I filed complaints with Ombudsman against Eric Dimaculangan, Ricardo David jr. and Dr. Theresa Montenegro for Dental torture/denial of medical care.

During my entire illegal detention at Bicutan Immigration detention center, my family and my human rights were violated by the Immigration executive director Eric Dimaculangan. The detention facility was managed under rules and regulations not approved by the DOJ or registered with ONAR.

Letters have been sent to Eric Dimaculangan, OIC Executive Director, in regards to the Rules and Guidelines of the Bicutan BI Immigration Detention center, to which he has never replied. He continued to implement and enforce "fantasy" Rules and Guidelines without these being approved by the DOJ and registered with ONAR.

These "fantasy" rules and regulation deny visitation rights by the detainee’s immediate family members and spiritual counselors on every Monday of every week. This is in direct violation of Republic Act No. 7438.

On September 13, 2013, Nikolaos Spanoudis has a Habeas Corpus (Latin for "present the body") hearing in which he was to appear, BI Chief Siegfred Mison in a letter to Chief of legal Arvin Cesar Santos, denied the court pass for Spanoudis to appear to his hearing which is mandatory for the complainant to appear, disregarding regional court orders.

The BI Bicutan Detention Center is an administrative holding facility for foreigners with alleged administrative violations, not criminal charges, thus it is not a jail or prison. Foreigners come from all parts of the world with different time zones, it is necessity to have communication with their immediate family members, embassy officials, lawyers, and spiritual advisors.

Also they prohibit the use of mobile phones and personal computer units which denies detainees access to immediate family members, lawyers, embassy officials, and spiritual counselors.

The BI Bicutan Detention Center allows 1 landline to be used by detainees during 9am to 5pm. This landline is shared with the BI administrative department which also uses it for communication and faxing. There are over 150 people using this 1 landline to communicate. It is impossible for the detainees rights under Republic Act No. 7438 to communicate within the rights provided within the act. Detainees are denied of this right

In November 2013, my lawyer requested that i be deported back to Greece because the delays were inexcusable and intentionally denying my liberty. In December, after many contacts to DOJ secretary De Limas staff, by my lawyer, still no resolution to my appeal.

In January 06. , 2014, my lawyer personally met with DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima, she pointed out all the human rights and due process violations. DOJ secretary said my case would be resolved asap.

My lawyer followed up with letters, still no response. My lawyer met with Office of President assistant secretary Jed Eva and followed up with letters stating violation of due process and the 1987 Philippines. Constitution. In which the Office of President contacted DOJ to resolve my case. Still no answer. 

On February 24, 2014, our news reporting exposed human rights violations by the Bureau of Immigration that released free a British paedophile that had raped a 6 year old girl 3 times. This was BI Chief Siegfred's first order after his appointment by President Aquino, recommended by DOJ Chief Leila De Lima. This led to another Philippines Senate Resolution inquiry 540 by Senator Nancy Binary into the corruption inside the Immigration legal department.

On March 28, 2014 a letter from my attorney to the Office of the President to take Disciplinary action against DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima.

On April 07, 2014, a letter is written by DOJ secretary Leila De Lima justifying that the ongoing detention of me is for reason that USA claims I am a "fugitive from justice" and they are requesting I should be deported to USA not Greece. DOJ secretary Leila De Lima states that the request to be released and/or be deported to Greece is denied. 

At no time during my 19-month illegal detention were any warrants of arrest or authenticated documents produced to prove the allegations nor had I been charged with a crime. The provisions of the USA-Philippines Extradition Treat of 1994 were being completely ignored.

On April 10, 2014, I filed criminal complaints against DOJ secretary Leila De Lima, DOJ state council Ricardo V. Paras III and asst. State council Paulito De Jesus with the Ombudsman office.

The delayed resolution of the appeal with DOJ, clearly a violation of Section 14 Book VII of Executive Order 292. More than six (6) months of omitting to act in the resolution of appeal memorandum is likewise a violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which provides under Sec. 15, Article VIII thereof for the lower courts to decide cases within ninety (90) days.

I had been illegally detained by the DOJ/Immigration for 19 months has presented more evidence to the Ombudsman to prove that DOJ Chief Leila De Lima is arbitrarily detaining me and causing malicious delay in resolving his Appeal Memorandum.

I provided resolution orders of 3 other foreigners who had Appeals before the DOJ in the same year as mine but the 3 appeals were resolved in 45 days to 6 months, while i was been illegally detained for 19 months and no decision has been made.

Despite 2 motions before the DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima for temporary liberty/bail, to be able to return to my pregnant fiancé, 3 year old son and take care of my business, DOJ Secretary denied my requests stating "There is no merit in his request to be released on bail for humanitarian reasons".

That DOJ secretary Leila De Lima in her orgy to persecute me for exposing corruption and human rights violations in the DOJ/Immigration, had also violated the human rights of my fiancé and children and put them under mental stress and in danger.

Leila De Lima had served as the Commission on Human Rights from 2008-2010 and is fully aware of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Philippines is s signatory to.

The ombudsman office sent many letters to DOJ secretary Leila De Lima to resolve my case. Knowing my human rights were being violated, they did not investigate or file any charges as of this date of writing.

The DOJ secretary De Lima kept me illegally detained for 19 months, maliciously persecuting me for the reason of exposing the corruption in her agencies and her fellow criminal syndicate.

On May 07, 2014, my fiancé and I filed criminal complaints against DOJ secretary Leila De Lima, DOJ state council Ricardo V. Paras III and asst. State council Paulito De Jesus with the CHR, our complaint was couriered to

Atty. Diana B. De Leon 

Chief Investigation Division 

Legal and Investigation Office 

Commission on Human Rights

In which she sent an acknowledgement email on May 12, 2014 that she had received our complaint and forwarded to Atty. Gilbert Boiser, Director of CHR-NCR for its appropriate action/investigation. 

The Ombudsman graft and prosecution office issues notice on May 7, 2014 to DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima to take immediate action to resolve my appeal memorandum and also explain the complaint filed against her and DOJ state counsels Ricardo V. Paras and Paulito De Jesus. 

On May 12, 2014, a dispatch letter was issued to answer the complaint filed.

A May 23, 2014, a dispatch letter was sent to DOJ secretary De Lima to resolve my pending appeal.

On Friday, May 31, 2014, 2 days before I was to deport to Greece, DOJ resolved my appeal case, 8 months past the legal time allowed.

On Monday, June 02, 2014, I was deported to Greece not USA, thus DOJ secretary Leila De Lima's April 07, 2014 letter is full of lies and deception in a desperate attempt to cover up the Philippines DOJ/Immigration human rights violations against me.

My fiancé and I were harassed and constantly under mental stress by the guards, they were constantly telling me us that I would be deported to USA and go to prison for long period and never allowed back in the Philippines, never to see my fiancé or children.

We were threatened to keep quiet and do not complain or we would disappear like trouble makers in the Marcos days. My fiancé even filed a police report against the guards.

The Bicutan Immigration detention center was a torture/execution center used in the Marcos era. There is a weapons shooting range directly behind the Bicutan detention center, constant firing of weapons take place 14 hours a day, even stray bullets hit the facility. Early morning hours the guards would rev the engines to their motorcycles inside the facility just to deny us sleep. There was constant psychological torture to the detainees.

The DOJ/Immigration officials constantly refer to the letters of the USA embassy for justification of my arrest. They never followed their Constitution, Criminal code, Supreme court rulings and the USA – Philippines extradition treaty of 1994. If it was the intention of the USA embassy/FBI to have me extradited, then they would have followed their procedures and started the extradition process as per the USA-Philippines Extradition treaty.

The crimes committed by Leila De Lima and her criminal syndicate not only affects the due process and human rights of foreigners but also the innocent. Nikolaos Spanoudis company, LCI SOLUTIONS inc. not only employed over 400 Filipinos but also supported from his own pocket Cebu Heroes. www.facebook.com/cebuheroes. A charity which supported over 60 children in two orphanages, Missionaries of the Poor and Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts with food, clothing, medical supplies, computers for education and mental support by LCI Solutions staff. All this gone after 19 months of illegal detention.

In my case, it began as kidnapping/extortion attempt but after reporting on the corruption and human rights violations of foreigners, their actions were to punish and torture, both physically and mentally, me and my family  for exposing them to the international community.

Despite the allegations claimed by the USA Embassy Manilla, the Philippines DOJ/Bureau of Immigration and being arbitrarily detained for 19 months, the result was that I was deported back to Athens, Greece, not the USA, which was their justification for arbitrarily detaining me for 19 months for a non-existent administrative charge, the only valid reason for my detention was an attempt to extort me for $150,000.

The atrocities of arbitrary detention, physical and mental torture, denial of due process and civil rights, and persecution of foreigners, kidnapping and extortion of foreigners continue to this day at Bicutan Immigration detention center at Camp Bagong Diwa, Manilla.

The OHCHR complaint and supporting documents can be viewed at Drop bok link to OHCHR