Cherlyn Tomayko, the woman arrested by the International Police (INTERPOL) and currently in detention in the women’s prison, El Buen Pastor, for kidnapping her children, was given refugee status in Costa Rica, ending her battle for freedom.
The announcement was made by the ministra de Seguridad Pública, Janina Del Vecchio, saying that the granting of refugee status was based on merits of the case and nothing negative was considered or would be considered against the US.
The United States expressed annoyance at the decision announced by Del Vecchio shortly after 3pm yesterday. The US annoyance was such that the US Embassy in San José has suspend the official donation of a airplane to the Ministerio de Seguridad, which was programmed for today.
Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, defended his government’s decision.
“The government does not have to consult other governments for decisions that our ours. This is a subject of human rights and we have always protected people who have had their rights threathened”, said Arias.
Del Vecchio added that the decision was one to be made by Costa Rica and that every decision has its consequences. “I believe and hope that (the decision) does not affect the relations between the two countries”, said Del Vecchio.
Evelyn Ardón, press officer at the US Embassy in San José said yesterday that Embassy officials may make a statement about the case today.
Del Vecchio confirmed the suspension of today’s activity, saying that she received a call from a “high ranking” Embassy official, though she did not identify the caller, that Embassy officials would be “busy doing other things”.
Tomayko fled the US with her two daughters alleging domestic violence, entering Costa Rica illegally in 1997. Her ex-husband, Roger Cyprian, accused her of kidnapping.
Tomayko made herself a new life in Costa Rica, marrying Costa Rican, Javier Montero. The couple had two children, worked as an English teacher and became a naturalized Costa Rican.
The head of the Defensa Pública, Marta Iris Muñoz, yesterday made a request for the immediate release of the woman, following being granted refugee status.
