The Pavas Criminal Court extended Ziad Akl’s  preventive imprisonment for another three months. Ziad is the brother of Elias Akl, who was assassinated back in March 2017 outside a private school in Guachipelin, Escazu.  Ziad was arrested shortly after his brother’s death when he was trying to flee the country through the Juan Santamaria Airport, and was detained on separate charges of attempted murder, extortion and kidnap.

Ziad Akl, was released by the Pavas Criminal Court last week after spending 6 months in preventive prison; he was then detained by the Migratory Police by request of the Ministry of Security, Gustavo Mata, due to Akl’s irregular migratory status. Mata requested the immediate deportation of the Lebanese suspect, however, on Monday, the Pavas Court accepted a request of temporary permanence in the country for Akl presented by his attorney. The Court justified its decision on the fact that Akl still has to face trial in Costa Rica. Minister Mata requested then that he’d be put back in preventive custody since he is considered “dangerous”.

This Tuesday, the temporary permit was revoked by the same court, and the request of Minister Mata to extend Ziad’s time in preventive custody was accepted.

“I am satisfied with this decision, since setting this individual (who is linked to organized crime) free, could generate acts of violence”, affirmed Mata.

The Akl brothers apparently had a money-lending and possible drug organization which they ran in a thug-like manner, threatening debtors, holding them against their will and using violence to get them to pay.