Mystery surrounds fugitive CTV leader’s political asylum petition

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, March 14, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) executive secretary Pablo Castro has confirmed that CTV president and failed national stoppage instigator, Carlos Ortega has asked the Costa Rican government for political asylum.

Ortega was reported in residence at the Embassy since early Friday morning. Castro claims, “We are organizing all the necessary red tape so that Ortega can leave the country.”

In a later report Castro retracted and has denied that Ortega is at the Embassy at the moment.  Ambassador Ricardo Lizano has not confirmed the breaking news.

• Sources indicate that the Embassy is keeping the matter under wraps.

An arrest warrant was issued for Carlos Ortega after he refused to turn up for a court hearing about his part in the two-month long national stoppage.