APNU protestors face court for illegal march

Dec 10, 2011 News

– to return in New Year
Magistrate Sueanna Lovell’s court Two was crammed yesterday as about one dozen

A meeting between some legal representatives after court hearing

people identified as participants in a protest rally held at Square of the Revolution on Tuesday, appeared to answer the charge of taking part in a procession which was prohibited.
Among those charged for the offence was Attorney at Law James Bond and Former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Edward Collins, who faced two additional charges. These additional charges were for holding a meeting in the public without permission and speaking at a meeting in the public where no notice was given. Both men claimed their innocence to the charges.
Also charged were Clifton Newman, Winston Greaves, Bruce Whatley and Fitzroy Corlette, all pleaded not guilty to the offence. The others, Adrianna Joseph, APNU Executive David Hinds, Keyno Henry, Hamilton Holder, Adrianna Moses and Casey Duncan were absent to answer to the charges against them causing summons to be ordered for the absentees to present themselves before the court on the next occasion.
Some persons who were arrested by police ranks on the day of the protest even appeared at the court, believing that they were to face the charges; it was subsequently revealed that only some of the protestors detained at the rally were charged by the police.
A battery of lawyers was identified as representatives of the accused persons. These included Leader on the Peoples’ National Congress Reform (PNCR) Robert Corbin, Attorney at Law Senior Counsel Rex Mc Kay, Roger Haywood, Trenton Lake, Deborah Backer, Basil Williams, Michael Sommersaul and Llewellyn John.
A few of the named attorneys spoke briefly on the matter, making a bail application on behalf of the accused.
Mr. Corbin told the court that the defendants have well established careers and are well recognized and respected (referring to Collins and Bond). He gave particulars of the personal details of the two prominent defendants. Mr. Corbin said that the defendants should be released and brought back to court on their own recognizance.
The PNCR leader in his legal capacity, asked for an appropriate date for trial. He said the persons are not a flight risk and will not tamper with witnesses, who in this case are identified mainly as police ranks who he subsequently stated are liable to face charges for the illegal attack against the said persons.
The prosecutor said that the defendants were gathered without legal permission from the Chief Officer of the Police to conduct the proceedings. The rank said that as a result of not obtaining permission to assemble, the crowd was asked to disperse but it did not.
As a result the persons were arrested and charged for the offence, he said. The prosecutor had no objection to bail.
The defendants were told to return to court on February 13. They were released on self bail.
The accused persons were part of a protest march conducted by a political party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
The persons were pressing for the release of the original copies of the statements of poll (SOP) by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and for other issues the party indicated as being unlawful and uncivil occurring in the country.
The protestors were told by police officers in complete riot attire, armed with batons and rubber pellet spitting rifles that they were not given permission for the march and that they should go home. The persons did not immediately follow the police’s instructions and were subsequently shot at by police ranks.
Arrests were made thereafter and persons were charged for taking part in the march. Some people hurt in the altercation with the police had to seek medical attention for their wounds. At least 11 persons were injured.
The issue attracted public interest as many prominent persons were lured to the court by the proceedings.
Amidst these persons were Social activist, Mark Benschop, APNU Prime Ministerial candidate Rupert Roopnaraine and Kaieteur News Columnist Freddie Kissoon.
Many of A Partnership for National Unity supporters waited on the street to hear the results of the first visit of the charged persons to the court.
As the defendants exited the court after being released, the small gathering of APNU supporters cheered and further chanted slogans. The charged persons will be back in court on February 13, 2012.