Venezuelan diplomat held after ambassador found slain in official residence

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenyan police have arrested a Venezuelan diplomat over the killing of the country's acting ambassador in her official residence, the High Court heard Monday.

Venezuela's acting ambassador and charge d'affaires, Olga Fonseca, was found dead in her official residence on Friday. Police said she was strangled, though the motive is unclear.


Dwight Sagaray, first secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy, was arrested on Saturday and Kenyan police on Monday made a court application to hold him in custody for another 14 days.

"The suspect was arrested by the police after his diplomatic immunity was waived," deputy prosecutor Tabitha Ouya told the courtroom.

'Investigation is incomplete'
Sagaray, wearing a yellow and green baseball jacket, appeared composed as Venezuelan officials observed the proceedings.

"The investigation is incomplete and (we) require more time to secure crucial evidence and apprehend other suspects," Ouya said.

According to Kenya Capital FM News, Ouya said authorities needed to interrogate more witnesses and also awaited the results of DNA samples taken at the scene of the crime.

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Jotham Arwa, the lawyer representing Sagaray, said the suspect was also a student at the University of Nairobi, Capital FM News said. 

Sagaray was arrested along with five Kenyans who worked at the Embassy but it was unclear whether the local suspects have been charged or released.

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Kenyan Foreign Ministry officials said local staff at the residence had complained to its Diplomatic Police Unit after the new envoy fired them.

Fonseca had sacked them after they refused to retract sexual harassment claims against the former head of the Venezuelan Embassy, the employees said.

Fonseca, 57, had only been the country since July 15, the EFE news agency reported.

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Jose Miguel Reyes, administrative assistant at the Venezuelan Embassy, told EFE that the servants "were never fired," but they had "refused to acknowledge Fonseca's authority" and kept working at the residence anyway.

Judge Florence Muchemi will rule Tuesday whether to remand Sagaray in custody or release him on bail.

Post-mortem results and DNA analysis have not yet reached police investigators, according to court documents.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Discuss this post

Let's see how long it takes Hugo to blame this on the U.S.! Seems he blames us for just about everything else that goes wrong with his country.

  • 4 votes
Reply#1 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:24 AM EDT

You mean just like the U.S. blames Chavez for everything that goes wrong in Central and South America?

  • 3 votes
#1.1 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:27 PM EDT

Marlen, always glad to have the Hugo lovers around for lively discussion(?).

  • 2 votes
#1.2 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:42 PM EDT

hey Guys...and Gal. I'm one of the FEW Americans that has lived in Caracas (La Lagunita) and seen first hand how Hugo Chavez has transformed Venezuela. Let's take a look:

1. WORLD LEADER in Murder Rate.

2. WORLD LEADER in Kidnappings

3. LEADING THE WORLD in Inflation increase

4. PDVSA (National Oil Company) has been SO mismanaged under Chavez the by 2014, Colombia will export more Oil than Venezuela COLOMBIA ! ! !

5. LARGEST POVERTY INCREASE in Hemisphere (dont believe the stats put out by Chavez)

I saw FIRST HAND shortages (or outages) of the following items DAILY in Supermarkets:

MILK... MEAT... TOILET PAPER... BREAD... EGGS... COOKING OIL... RICE... BABY FORMULA... SOFT DRINKS...

Marlem, basically speaking, Chavez CAN be blamed for DESTROYING the Venezuelan Economy, DESTROYING its wealth, DESTROYING its private sector, DESTROYING it's stature in the World...... and it has absolutely ZERO to do with CNN, FAUX News, or anyone remotely related to the USA. It has everything to do with the swollen ego of one Dictator....HUGO CHAVEZ.

  • 1 vote
#1.3 - Wed Aug 1, 2012 1:07 PM EDT
Reply

O i don't doubt he will.. I cant wait to hear another one of his insane conspiracy theories they are always a good laugh.. He would make a better comedian than a leader

  • 4 votes
Reply#2 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:43 AM EDT

Why is an ambassador from Venezuela named Dwight?

    Reply#3 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:43 AM EDT

    ...and I wonder why there are two American actors named Orlando (Jones & Bloom)?

    Globalization has made the world, its different cultures, and yes, names too, shareable by all us.

      #3.1 - Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:18 AM EDT

      Or an American president named Barack!

        #3.2 - Wed Aug 1, 2012 8:21 AM EDT

        Romilio, Orlando Bloom is actually from the U.K.

          #3.3 - Fri Aug 3, 2012 11:40 PM EDT
          Reply

          Cue the ignorant Chavez haters.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#4 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:55 AM EDT

          Or the lovers!

            #4.1 - Fri Aug 3, 2012 11:42 PM EDT
            Reply

            If his name is Dwight then he is an american spy, or at list american sympathizer. Period. I would blame Obama. Who else could organize such a heinous crime?

            • 1 vote
            Reply#5 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:12 PM EDT

            Hey Cassandra, is there anybody you do like or approve of? Not including those who share your own narrow minded and hateful views of course!

            • 1 vote
            #5.1 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:24 PM EDT

            Actually it was a joke.

            • 4 votes
            #5.2 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:13 PM EDT

            EdNavDoc, lighten up a bit mate, it´s Friday where you´re isn´t it?

              #5.3 - Fri Aug 3, 2012 10:12 AM EDT

              It is indeed Friday. I figured I'd get an early start. Actually, my response was based on previous differences with the individual in question. But, as they say, life is too short. Time to kick back in front of the tube with some chilled Fosters and as you say, lighten up. Have a good evening.

                #5.4 - Fri Aug 3, 2012 11:49 PM EDT
                Reply

                "refused to acknowledge Fonseca's authority" and kept working at the residence anyway.

                You can not find good house keeping any more. what happens if you don't pay them.?

                Well, I guess you get strangled to death.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#6 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:36 PM EDT

                Hugo Chavez is a violent supporter of terrorism. He has harbored terrorists from ETA in Spain.IRA from Ireland and islamists from Iran.Not surpising violence would show up in an embassy abroad.Chavez is a cancer for Latin America and the whole world.He has it in his body and the policies of his regime.He must be removed either by losing the election (not too probable as the new Chavez constitution only accepts Chavez wins not loses) or by a revolution by his people where he is tried and hung.or if cancer gets him.One way or another he must go...preferably by a peoples court..Adios,Chavez!!

                • 4 votes
                Reply#7 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:42 PM EDT

                Your full of it, stop watching Fox News so much.

                • 2 votes
                #7.1 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:44 PM EDT
                Reply

                this is so bizarre. What next, the dance of the sugar plum fairies............?

                • 1 vote
                Reply#8 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:04 PM EDT

                bart martin seems to have the right direction here. The rest of you oxygen thieves can't see the forest for the trees. Sad situation, but I'm not suprised. It's either Islamic idiots or Communists clones out there making life rough. Also, here in the US, we have our own brand of idiots and class warfare dudes. They're called Republicans and they would like to rid this nation of the middle class. I hope they all lose in the election and their rich guy canidate, Mitt Willard, takes a hike back to where ever. God, what a phony that guy is.....Just like Chavez.....Idiot's beget idiots!

                • 2 votes
                Reply#9 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:58 PM EDT

                Stevo, I was agreeing with you up until the point you started to make your Republican comments. The fact is that there is really not a whole lot of difference between Republicans and Democrats. Most from both parties will lie, cheat, steal and do whatever it takes to get into and stay in office! All the while lining their pockets with our hard earned tax dollars. There are plenty of idiots on both sides of the aisle to go round, starting with Holder, Napolitano, Pelosi, Feinstein, Reid etc...... By the way, I am not a Republican so save whatever barb you may be prepared to throw, as it would be meaningless.

                  #9.1 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:20 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  that fast bastard chevez probaly say usa kidnapp his diplomat and force him kill another lol or american ufo came ot venezula and replace his man with clone and killed diplomat and then left and brought back their man and framed him. or media lieing

                    Reply#10 - Fri Aug 3, 2012 9:41 AM EDT

                    Uhhh, say what? Must be some potent stuff you are enjoying!

                      Reply#11 - Fri Aug 3, 2012 11:53 PM EDT
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