Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 13, 2012 News
The charges of illegal procession against several members and supporters of A Partnership for National
Unity (APNU) for a protest march that took place in December, last, were dismissed yesterday when the matter was called before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry.
Attorney at Law James Bond, Former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Edward Collins, Clifton Newman, Winston Greaves, Bruce Whatley, Fitzroy Corlette, Adrianna Joseph, APNU Executive David Hinds, Keyno Henry, Hamilton Holder, Adrianna Moses and Casey Duncan, were all charged on December 9, last, for taking part in a procession which was prohibited.
Bond and Collins had been slapped with two additional charges which alleged that on the day of the incident, they held a meeting in the public without permission and on that same day, spoke at the public meeting, where no notice was given.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
Yesterday, the Chief Magistrate dismissed the matter for want of prosecution.
When the case was called up, neither the prosecutor nor the file was available. Another police prosecutor, stood in place, but she did not have possession of the case file. Although three police witnesses were available to give evidence on behalf of the prosecution, the matter could not get underway.
Attorney-at-law Llewellyn John represented the defendants. He submitted that the matter against his clients be dismissed due to the continued delays. John submitted that the matter had been called since last year, and twice before the file had to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.
Apart from that, two firm dates were set by the court for the commencement of the matter. Some of the defendants were missing at several hearings, but after the court ordered their presence they were available for court yesterday and still the matter could not start.
Following the information provided, the lawyer forwarded that the matter was viable for dismissal.
The court later upheld John’s submission and dismissed the case.
The defendants, following the 2011 General elections, 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 that the persons indicated were unlawful and uncivil occurring in the country.
The APNU supporters were reportedly told by police officers in complete riot attire, armed with batons and 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 with rubber pellets by police ranks. Arrests were then made. The incident occurred in Hadfield Street, Georgetown, between Winter Place and Louisa Row.
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