U.N. calls for immediate release of Jason Puracal
May 31, 2012, 6:01 AM | Updated: 7:02 am
The United Nations is calling for the immediate release of Jason Puracal, a former University of Washington student imprisoned in Nicaragua. (97.3 KIRO FM/Brandi Kruse)
(97.3 KIRO FM/Brandi Kruse)
The United Nations is coming to the defense of a former University of Washington student imprisoned in Nicaragua.
Jason Puracal, 35, is a University of Washington graduate who originally moved to Central America as a member of the Peace Corps. He was arrested in November 2010 at his home in San Juan del Sur.
Nicaraguan National Police claim he laundered drug money through his real estate franchise in the seaside village, and Puracal was subsequently convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering. He was sentenced to 22 years in La Modelo, a dilapidated prison on the outskirts of Managua.
After reviewing the case, a U.N. group says Puracal’s detention is in violation of international law.
“There are experts at the U.N. who have agreed that Jason’s detention is arbitrary and demanded that he be immediately released,” says Puracal’s sister Janis. “What this means for us, is now the international community has spoken here and demanded Jason’s release.”
Puracal has been imprisoned in Nicaragua for nearly two years.
Janis Puracal said she’s hopeful the U.N. support will speed her brother’s release.
“We’ve got an independent tribunal that is demanding Jason’s release, and the Nicaraguan leadership is going to have to respond to that demand in some way,” says Janis.
