AFP/Rio de Janerio

The ex-premier of the British-ruled Turks and Caicos islands, wanted at home in connection with a corruption probe, has been denied refuge in Brazil because of lack of proof of political persecution, authorities said.

Michael Misick, 50, was arrested at Rio’s Santos Dumont airport in December as he tried to board a Sao Paulo-bound flight. He had applied for refugee status in Brazil alleging political persecution by British authorities over his efforts to promote possible independence for his Caribbean homeland.

Brazilian Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo rejected Michael Eugene Misick’s request because of “lack of proof of a supposed political persecution,”, his ministry said in a statement.

A Brazilian Supreme Court judge had ordered Misick detained in response to an arrest warrant issued by the British government. In March last year, Interpol issued a “red notice” warrant against Misick, who is being probed by British authorities for corruption.

Misick resigned in 2009 following a corruption scandal in which he was accused of money laundering and bribery in the British overseas territory. Britain reassumed direct control of the islands in August of the same year after declaring corruption to be “endemic.” Much of the alleged wrongdoing centred on misuse of government land.