The founder of renowned anti-virus software developer McAfee has been arrested by police in Guatemala for illegally entering the country, as he eludes capture in Belize in connection with the murder of his neighbour.
John McAfee decided to flee Belize and enter Guatemala in order to seek asylum there, claiming he was being “harassed” by the Belizean police in connection with the murder of Gregory Faull.
However, Guatemalan police arrested the retired software developer following his check-in at a hotel in Guatemala City for illegal entry into the country. There being no international arrest warrant for McAfee in connection with the Faull murder, the Guatemalan arrest should be considered a separate issue.
McAfee and his lawyer announced today that a request for asylum would be lodged with the Guatemalan government, with McAfee detailing his entry into the country under facial disguise as a means of personal protection.
“Belize does not have a good track record of providing safety when they ask to question you,” McAfee said, speaking at a restaurant in Guatemala City. “I felt much more secure crossing the border into a country that had laws that were backed by the justice system.”
American businessman Faull was shot dead on November 11 at his Belize house, which neighbours McAfee’s retirement home – a neighbourly pairing that has led to on-going disputes between the two, with police repeatedly involved in allegations of antisocial behaviour.
McAfee protests his innocence with regard to the murder, and has even posted a US$25,000 reward for the turning-in of the killer(s).
