Because of his critical website aimed at The Bahamas’ tourist industry, Attorney General Alfred Sears, said an investigation has been launched into German Harald Fuhrmann.
“I was so embarrassed to come home from overseas and see such a thing. I assure you that this is being investigated,” Mr. Sears said on Friday.
On one of his several sites, www.haraldfuhrmann.int.tc, Mr. Fuhrmann explains that his “gripe” is with The Bahamas’ judicial system, which he called a “whorehouse,” after he lost a case 10 years ago.
He says “incompetent” lawyers lost the case against his brother-in-law, who was paid to complete a property.
The Germany national told The Guardian “I even would have accused Bahamian lawyers and the Bahamas Bar Association of corruption, and in my eyes the entire legal system would appear to be an ‘Axis of Evil.’
“I criticize especially the attitude and morality of attorneys at law, as well as their capability and preparedness to sincerely assist. Out of my experiences and my understanding of legal principles, the Bahamas is a whorehouse concerning the rule of law. And still more, from a prostitute, one could certainly expect a more correct behaviour than from some of the lawyers I am acquainted with.”
Another Fuhrmann website, www.bahamas-consult.us.tc, carrying several photos, depicts The Bahamas as poverty-stricken, filthy, high in crime and not a country for foreign investment.
Mr. Fuhrmann says that appeals to Prime Minister Perry Christie, Mr. Sears and former Cabinet members has “fallen on deaf ears.”
He challenges Mr. Christie to investigate “why foreigners have to publicly criticize The Bahamas as a place for investments.”
It is public knowledge, Mr. Fuhrmann says, that The Bahamas needs more foreign investors during “these hard times.” Mr. Christie has made similar remarks, stating that investors were frustrated by the “excessive red tape.” The lack of investment, Mr. Fuhrmann claims is due to corruption, crime and injustice.
“In the interest of the economic development on The Bahamas, it would be worthwhile to analyze in the same way the business licensing laws, the financial services area and the investments sector. I have no doubt that the results here would shed some light on The Bahamas’ dwindling tourism industry.”
He calls for a Commission of Inquiry to look into the law firms, the Bahamas Bar Association, the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court Registry, “because where inefficiency isn’t perverting justice, corruption is.”
Mr. Fuhrmann say that he would not have published his website if not wrongfully treated by lawyers, the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Christie, Bahamas Investment Authority, Mr. Sears and the Bahamas Bar Association. He also blamed The Guardian and ZNS for ignoring his problems.
Threatening to a launch similar website, Mr. Fuhrmann says one will include a message board to answer questions like “what are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling to and investing in The Bahamas?”
He concludes: “The curtains need to be open. Why should they not be?”
Mr. Sears said: “There is an investigation going on. I was in Paris last week and the matter was brought to my attention. We are currently investigating it and at the conclusion of the investigation, we will comment on it.”
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
