Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Treason case protesters picket OP
Alliance For Change (AFC) representatives and columnist Freddie Kissoon who are on a
Some of the protestor in front of the Office of the President yesterday.
continuous protest seeking the release of three treason accused, picketed the Office of the President yesterday.
They are calling on newly elected president, Donald Ramotar, to release Bruce Munroe, his wife Carol Ann Munroe and Leonard Wharton, while accusing the court of procrastinating with the matter.
Some of the placards read; “Stop using unjust laws to silence Guyana,” “Free the treason accused now”, and “Guyanese people demand the release of treason accused.”
According to columnist Freddie Kissoon, the protest shall be a daily one which will mirror the situation in Argentina when the “Mothers of the missing” daily protested until there was a result.
(Thirty years ago, a small group of mothers whose children had been seized by the military government then in power in Argentina began walking in circles in the main square in Buenos Aires. Many of their detained relatives were never seen again.)
“Three persons were charged with treason one year now, and the preliminary inquiry (PI) has also been going on one year now…and they are procrastinating and they are using the people as example,” Kissoon said.
“We are going to prove that they are wrong by being out here every day, we want the treason accused to be freed because the state has no evidence on them.”
AFC Executive Member, Gerhard Ramsaroop said “justice delayed is justice denied” since the persons incarcerated for a case as serious as treason should be given a speedy trial.
He said if there is evidence then it should be submitted and prosecution should begin. However, if there is insufficient evidence then the case must be discharged as early as possible.
“And these are young productive people in society; they have their families, it is unconscionable to have people locked up, frankly it is uncivilized. And we are hoping with this change in administration they are going to make a change by releasing these people.”
Executive Member of the AFC and Councillor for Region Four, Michael Carrington noted that “these people are intimidating, they just arrest you and lock you up and say that is treason they hold you for years, we need to find a better system, we can’t just pick people up and lock them up for a year without evidence, without a gun… it is totally wrong and unjust especially the laws relating to treason…if persons are arrested for treason they should be tried right away.”
Adding that persons are also randomly locked up without justification, AFC member Michael Leonard said young men are picked up almost daily and placed in the lock-ups over the weekend then released without being charged.
“It starts small by persons being picked up on the corner, and thrown into the lock-up two, three days with no charges. Now it has gone to persons being charged with treason and being locked up for years indefinitely. Every citizen should have the right to a fast and a fair trial.” Leonard said.
The preliminary inquiry into the charge of treason against Major Bruce Munroe, his wife Carol-Ann Munroe and Reserve Officer Leonard Wharton continued recently with chief witness Quincy Critchlow returning to clarify certain information he had previously presented to the court.
The accused are expected to return on January 12 for the continuation of the case.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A call for more cultural centres
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Burnham’s decision to divert the Indian Immigration Fund towards constructing the National... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
