Senior Counsel believes Government is justified in funding the legal fees for Alfa Nero case
While there are many in the nation of Antigua and Barbuda that believe the Prime Minister and others involved in the Alfa Nero court case should be personally responsible for the corresponding legal fees, Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan fully supports the Cabinet’s decision to fund the PM’s defense.
In an interview with Antigua.News, Astaphan takes the position that the PM was specifically targeted because he was serving in his capacity as leader of government, and since the Alfa Nero transaction was conducted as government business, defending the business should come at the government’s expense.
“Mr Gaston Browne is Prime Minister”, Astaphan said. “An attack on him is an attack on the country, and I fully support the Cabinet’s decision to pay the legal fees for them.”
An opposing viewpoint comes from some stakeholders who believe the affair to be much more localized, especially considering the potentially negative economic implications for the country.
The lawsuit is expected to be a strain of millions of dollars on the public purse, and many citizens cite a concern that the government is in a court battle with parties that are infinitely more financially prepared for it.
“How are we going to afford this problem that was brought to us by people that have more money than our local budget”, comments a citizen on a local radio show.
Senior Counsel Astaphan believes the PM and the government has done the correct and justifiable thing.
“Had he not been Prime Minister, this would never have happened”, Astaphan opines to Antigua.News.
Whatever your viewpoint may be on this circumstance, it would be hard to argue that fact.
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/04/22/senior-counsel-believes-government-is-justified-in-funding-the-legal-fees-for-alfa-nero-case. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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Comments (7)
food4thought April 22, 2025, 7:52 AM
Unruly One April 22, 2025, 4:29 PM
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Concerned citizens April 22, 2025, 9:15 AM
Faithful National #1 May 1, 2025, 8:55 AM
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