And in his first two recordings which we got last week, Budna also made specific allegations saying that his abductors called someone named Kareem. They allegedly did this as they took him across the country on a three hour drive from the north to the far west.
We've never aired that portion of the recording because we wanted to hear the response from the most well known Kareem - Minister Musa himself. Here's what Budna alleged and what Minister Musa had to say in response:
Voice of: Joseph Budna, Abducted in Belize
"And they were in communication with one Kareem. One of the guys say Kareem di call, and the driver stepped out of the vehicle and spoke on phone for about a minute and then he jumped in back in the vehicle and they move on."
Reporter
"Budna also alleges that a call was made and that, Kareem was referred to. Sir, was that you?"
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"Paul, I don't know how long you've been in media, but I'm sure Marisol has been in the media a little longer. And so she knows me. She knows that I invested my entire time and energy to become an attorney at law. It took me five years. It might seem like a little bit of time. I practiced law in this country for 17 years. I find it a little insulting that you think for one moment that I am the person he's talking about. I find that insulting, Paul, because one I don't know Budna. He has not offended or violated or molested any of my family members, so I have no grievance against him. He has not had any run-ins with me per se. I don't know if in his lives he mentions me. I do not know. I've never heard of it. But why would I, as an attorney at law, as a politician, with my entire future ahead of me? Risk my future for Joseph Ryan Budna? Ask yourself that question. Why would I get involved in something like that? You're talking about four individuals picking him up. You're saying that me talk to one of them and orchestrate something like this? Man you are calling me a kidnapper now Paul, I take insulted. But at the same time, I know you have to ask the questions. You have to do your job."
