Illegally deported Adelaide family seeking millions of dollars after horrific arrest ordeal in Vanuatu
The Adelaide family was subject to a “Gestapo-style” arrest and deportation in the dead of night while running their business in the South Pacific.
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An Adelaide family illegally deported from their South Pacific resort home is seeking millions of dollars in compensation from the Republic of Vanuatu after the government’s bid to have a Supreme Court decision overturned failed.
The Bruegger family, who own the Aquana Beach Resort at Port Vila, were arrested in their home on August 27 last year in a “Gestapo-style” operation and deported to Australia after they were alleged to have breached their visa conditions.
However, an urgent judicial review in the Vanuatu Supreme Court in November found the Brueggers’ deportation was unlawful.
An appeal from the government to have the ruling overturned in Vanuatu’s Court of Appeal was quashed, with the Brueggers now seeking compensation for the ordeal.
The family’s lawyer Mark Fleming has initiated negotiations with the government, with a significant sum being sought whether the matter is settled outside of court or not.
An exact figure will depend on the government’s willingness to negotiate but it is understood “millions of dollars” is being sought in compensation for each of the seven members of the Bruegger family and their business partner Birgit Mettel, who was also illegally detained and deported, meaning the total figure would likely exceed $15m.
Marcel and Fabienne Bruegger and their three children, aged nine, 11 and 13 at the time,
They were arrested at 2am in a joint Vanuatu Police Force and Vanuatu Immigration Services operation.
In separate raids executed simultaneously, Mr Bruegger’s parents Hugo and Sandra Bruegger and Ms Mettel were also arrested.
Marcel Bruegger in January told the Sunday Mail his wife and children feared for their lives during the arrest.
“We were ushered out of there without anything,” Mr Bruegger said.
“We had no money, no clothes, nothing … not even a toothbrush.”
However, in November, an urgent judicial review in the Vanuatu Supreme Court found the Brueggers’ deportation was unlawful.
Justice Viran Molisa Trief said the government’s conduct was “nothing short of egregious and is to be condemned in the strongest terms” and that the Bruegger children had been “deprived of their liberty when they were taken into custody”.
The Brueggers allege local MP and former Vanuatu Lands and Health Minister Norris Jack took control of the resort after their deportation.
Documents lodged in the Vanuatu Supreme Court allege Mr Jack told resort staff within hours of the Brueggers’ deportation that he had taken control of the business.
Mr Jack, whose property neighbours the resort, subsequently purchased 13 bungalows the Brueggers’ sold due to a loss of income after their deportation, however they were not told until after settlement that Mr Jack was the purchaser.
In September, the Supreme Court ordered Mr Jack not enter the Brueggers’ section of the resort, come within 50m of, or approach, any of the family’s staff, invitees, lawyers, advisers, security staff, contractors, or relatives.
However, Mr Jack has not complied with that order.
The Brueggers have not returned to Vanuatu since the court ruling out of fear of being rearrested.
Mr Jack did not respond to the Sunday Mail’s request for comment but told a local media outlet last year he was not involved in the Brueggers’ deportation.
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