Adam Castillo, an American businessman and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, was deported from the country. He was released after three months in prison on charges of violating the laws of the Myanmar Chamber of Commerce. State media reported that his deportation was carried out considering the friendly relations between Myanmar and the United States.
Details of Arrest and Charges
Castillo, 40, was arrested on charges of breach of trust and financial misconduct. However, no specific information regarding the trial or rejection of these charges has been released. He was detained on June 11 upon returning from Malaysia at Yangon International Airport. Myanmar officials only mentioned that he was arrested due to an existing crime and complaint.
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The American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar (AmCham) attributed charges to Castillo that included creating a lobbying organization to attract investment to Myanmar. These charges relate to his lobbying activities in Washington aimed at drawing attention to Myanmar's rare mineral resources.
Release and Return to the United States
After his release, Castillo was handed over to American officials in Myanmar and then flew to Bangkok, Thailand. His family expressed that his return to the United States would be bittersweet. His sister, Amanda Castillo, stated: "I can't wait to welcome my brother home, but I know this return will be bittersweet for him. He had great hopes for improving relations between the U.S. and Myanmar."
Castillo, a U.S. Navy veteran, was one of the founders and owners of the security risk management company AGS Myanmar. He had recently published a book criticizing U.S. sanctions against Myanmar. This book included criticisms of the Myanmar military government and the leadership of AmCham as well.
Possible Consequences of Charges and Documentation
The charges against Castillo included a contract worth $300,000 that he signed with a public relations firm in Washington for organizing meetings and events. These charges stated that he had illegally collected this amount and did not deposit it into the Chamber of Commerce's bank accounts.
However, some internal documents from AmCham appear to contradict these charges. A resolution signed by board members, including Castillo, shows that the organization voted in favor of lobbying initiatives for Myanmar and granted him full authority to act in this regard. This resolution has been obtained from Castillo's supporters, and the executive director of AmCham has deemed it a forgery.
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Source: independent.co.uk
