Update on Scott Grieve
Here are some excerpts from Scott's autobiographical account received this morning:
"This past Monday [March 13], when I got up (at 8am) they [the two guys living with Scott] were both gone. I went about my routine (reading, etc...) and then had a shower. When I got out of the shower at about 8:50am and walked into my room (bathroom was attached to my room) my bedroom door opened and in walked 3 military police, guns blazing. They asked "where are the boys?", "where are the guns?", "where are the drugs?" I answered that the guys had left early and that I had never seen them messing with any of these things. ...
"My hands were cuffed behind my back and I was taken into one of the twin’s room and shown a loaded 38 revolver. I was questioned about it and responded that I had never seen it before. A few minutes later I was taken out of the apartment (hands cuffed behind my back) and put in the back of the police truck. ...
"I spent the day cuffed (if you think that’s fun, try it sometime) as statements had to be made (mine and the police). ...
"I was taken to a doctor so that it could be documented that I hadn’t been abused physically by the police. I don’t know how many Brazilians (let’s just say a lot) have asked me if I was beaten at all. I’ve seen police kicking and hitting people they’ve apprehended on the street. Apparently that’s a pleasure my Canadian citizenship was able to spare me. ...
"Monday night I was placed in a cell by myself and there I stayed until Wednesday afternoon when I was transferred into another cell (the same size) with 4 other guys. Thankfully they treated me nicely, but it was extremely sad to see how they have to live. They had been there for a minimum of 4 months already. One young guy (23) had just been sentenced to 3 years for dealing drugs and possession of an unregistered gun. The others were awaiting judgment, but all of them admitted openly to their crimes (dealing drugs, robbery, guns).
"I had a visit from my aunt, uncle and cousin (with whom I now live here in Belo Horizonte) on Wednesday. My lawyers had been in to see me on the Tuesday and assured me they were doing all they could to get me out of jail so that I could await judgment from the outside. These prisoners (including myself for this short time) stay locked in this little cell (approximately 10 feet x 8 feet) permanently (washroom is inside) except on Mondays and Fridays when they are taken outside to walk around a tennis court, handcuffed to another prisoner, for 1.5 hours. They can also leave the cell on Wednesdays if someone comes to visit them (1.5 hour period). It's brutal. So to conclude, I had just closed my eyes to try to sleep on Friday night around midnight when the lights came on and the guard told me to collect my things. My heart was pounding I was so happy. I was informed that I’d be living with my cousin for a while and here I am. ...
"My passport was taken so I can't leave Brazil until the process is finished (I was told this would take at least a year), but I can travel within Brazil as long as I report with my lawyer. The lawyer’s fees are very large, but I know the God will provide for these needs at the appropriate time. ... [Let's pray about this.]
"All in all it was certainly not an enjoyable experience, but I have never felt the Lord’s presence with me as I did in those cells. I was weak, He showed Himself strong, and that was an amazing experience. My name has not been cleared. I’m awaiting trial, but I have absolute peace about it. Nothing can happen to me that God does not allow. Every time I am weak or scared or financially stressed it will be another opportunity for Him to show His power. I know that many people were praying for me. I felt those prayers and would like to thank you for them. Please continue to pray that the Lord would work everything out in His time and continue to give me peace and provide for all my needs. Among the many passages of scripture I had time to read during the last week Psalm 145:13b-20 stands out in my mind. Thanks again for everything and God bless."
"This past Monday [March 13], when I got up (at 8am) they [the two guys living with Scott] were both gone. I went about my routine (reading, etc...) and then had a shower. When I got out of the shower at about 8:50am and walked into my room (bathroom was attached to my room) my bedroom door opened and in walked 3 military police, guns blazing. They asked "where are the boys?", "where are the guns?", "where are the drugs?" I answered that the guys had left early and that I had never seen them messing with any of these things. ...
"My hands were cuffed behind my back and I was taken into one of the twin’s room and shown a loaded 38 revolver. I was questioned about it and responded that I had never seen it before. A few minutes later I was taken out of the apartment (hands cuffed behind my back) and put in the back of the police truck. ...
"I spent the day cuffed (if you think that’s fun, try it sometime) as statements had to be made (mine and the police). ...
"I was taken to a doctor so that it could be documented that I hadn’t been abused physically by the police. I don’t know how many Brazilians (let’s just say a lot) have asked me if I was beaten at all. I’ve seen police kicking and hitting people they’ve apprehended on the street. Apparently that’s a pleasure my Canadian citizenship was able to spare me. ...
"Monday night I was placed in a cell by myself and there I stayed until Wednesday afternoon when I was transferred into another cell (the same size) with 4 other guys. Thankfully they treated me nicely, but it was extremely sad to see how they have to live. They had been there for a minimum of 4 months already. One young guy (23) had just been sentenced to 3 years for dealing drugs and possession of an unregistered gun. The others were awaiting judgment, but all of them admitted openly to their crimes (dealing drugs, robbery, guns).
"I had a visit from my aunt, uncle and cousin (with whom I now live here in Belo Horizonte) on Wednesday. My lawyers had been in to see me on the Tuesday and assured me they were doing all they could to get me out of jail so that I could await judgment from the outside. These prisoners (including myself for this short time) stay locked in this little cell (approximately 10 feet x 8 feet) permanently (washroom is inside) except on Mondays and Fridays when they are taken outside to walk around a tennis court, handcuffed to another prisoner, for 1.5 hours. They can also leave the cell on Wednesdays if someone comes to visit them (1.5 hour period). It's brutal. So to conclude, I had just closed my eyes to try to sleep on Friday night around midnight when the lights came on and the guard told me to collect my things. My heart was pounding I was so happy. I was informed that I’d be living with my cousin for a while and here I am. ...
"My passport was taken so I can't leave Brazil until the process is finished (I was told this would take at least a year), but I can travel within Brazil as long as I report with my lawyer. The lawyer’s fees are very large, but I know the God will provide for these needs at the appropriate time. ... [Let's pray about this.]
"All in all it was certainly not an enjoyable experience, but I have never felt the Lord’s presence with me as I did in those cells. I was weak, He showed Himself strong, and that was an amazing experience. My name has not been cleared. I’m awaiting trial, but I have absolute peace about it. Nothing can happen to me that God does not allow. Every time I am weak or scared or financially stressed it will be another opportunity for Him to show His power. I know that many people were praying for me. I felt those prayers and would like to thank you for them. Please continue to pray that the Lord would work everything out in His time and continue to give me peace and provide for all my needs. Among the many passages of scripture I had time to read during the last week Psalm 145:13b-20 stands out in my mind. Thanks again for everything and God bless."
posted by Nigel Paul at 5:33 PM
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