And, eventually it was the Prime Minister who had to be called to get Alberto August released from police detention. We asked Mira if the PM has spoken to him about it.
Courtney Menzies:
"We understand that, you know, also, calls are made to the Prime Minister to help get Mr. August released. Have you and him had any discussion of, you and the Prime Minister had any discussion about the charges?"
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"No. The Prime Minister can answer for himself, but, Mr. August was treated like any other, citizen who has the right for bail, and that's what he was given. He was given his charge and he was given the opportunity for bail. And that's what happens, in these circumstances is what happens whenever there are these issues."
Courtney Menzies:
"Would you have reacted the same way if it wasn't somebody who was politically involved? Was it a move the flex on Mr. August."
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"There was no reason to flex on Mr. August. There's none, you know, but you don't put something in quotation marks and you don't say something that I did not say. And if you were making a joke and if you are just joking about the situation, then you then you must say that, you know, you don't post it as if it is facts."
Courtney Menzies:
"But do you believe he should have been held as long as he was for a nonviolent crime?"
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"That is not my decision to make. I went to make a complaint to the police department. The police department did their job. I didn't interfere with the police department. I just made a formal complaint about that post."
