Lost in Translation

The hearing in Managua never took place yesterday. At Stevens last hearing in court he was asked to undergo a psychiatric evaluation which he was happy to do. However, in order for the evaluation to take place there would need to be a translator in place. Steven had requested from the Honorary Consul in Managua that a translator be provided, however this was not forthcoming.

So, in time honoured Nicaraguan style, they took him to the hospital anyway, without a translator only to be told that the doctor would not provide a report becuase there was no translator present. So a report was never produced, hence the court did not want to see him without being able to review a report.

Libby (our friend in Managua) has agreed to be Stevens translator and has been approved by the court. So we are now awaiting a second date to visit the hospital and then another date for the report to be reviewed in court.

Yet again the system has fallen over and it is typical of things in Nicaragua unless there is someone out there following every last step and making sure that nothing is missed. Since we are not there we can only do this from here.

We have written to the FCO and requested a statement confirming why a translator was not provided and we have requested that they provide to us as a matter of urgency the dates for the psychiatric assessment and hearing.

Of course, we shall let you know........