MSR Media Withdraws Judicial Review Claim Against St. Kitts and Nevis Government

Head of MSR Media, Philippe Martinez, movie director. Photo: Creative Commons License.

Background of the Case

In a last-minute move earlier this week, MSR Media withdrew its Judicial Review claim against the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. The case, filed in May 2024, was set to be heard by Resident Judge, Her Ladyship Madame Justice Tamara Gill. According to a court order, MSR Media was required to formally discontinue the claim by Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Conclusion of Legal Proceedings

This withdrawal concludes the second of two legal actions initiated by MSR Media in 2024. The first—a civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) lawsuit filed by MSR and its head, film producer Philippe Martinez, in the United States District Court in Tampa, Florida — was voluntarily dismissed in December 2024. MSR Media cited the defendants’ invocation of immunity as a primary reason for the dismissal, stating that challenging immunity in court would be prohibitively costly and time-consuming.

Defendants and Implications

Despite the significant media attention surrounding these court filings, with the withdrawal of the Judicial Review matter, all legal proceedings brought by Martinez and MSR Media against individuals and entities in St. Kitts and Nevis concerning the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme have now concluded. The defendants in the U.S. lawsuit included prominent figures such as former Prime Ministers Dr. Denzil Douglas and Dr. Timothy Harris, former CEO of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) Les Khan, current CEO of the St. Lucia CIU McClaude Emmanuel, and Ying Jin, proprietor of Caribbean Galaxy.

Current Status and Future Developments

As of now, MSR Media has not provided further details on the reasons for withdrawing the Judicial Review claim. The conclusion of these legal proceedings marks the end of a contentious chapter between MSR Media and the St. Kitts and Nevis government.

Conclusion

The withdrawal of the Judicial Review claim by MSR Media brings an end to the legal disputes between the company and the St. Kitts and Nevis government. While the reasons for the withdrawal are not yet clear, it is evident that the conclusion of these proceedings will have significant implications for the Citizenship by Investment programme and the individuals involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What was the nature of the Judicial Review claim filed by MSR Media?

A: The Judicial Review claim was filed against the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in May 2024 and was set to be heard by Resident Judge, Her Ladyship Madame Justice Tamara Gill.

Q: What was the outcome of the RICO lawsuit filed in the United States District Court in Tampa, Florida?

A: The RICO lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed in December 2024, with MSR Media citing the defendants’ invocation of immunity as a primary reason for the dismissal.

Q: Who were the defendants in the U.S. lawsuit?

A: The defendants included former Prime Ministers Dr. Denzil Douglas and Dr. Timothy Harris, former CEO of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) Les Khan, current CEO of the St. Lucia CIU McClaude Emmanuel, and Ying Jin, proprietor of Caribbean Galaxy.