-by Celestine Chacon
Attorney General Anil Nandlall has warned that demonstrations involving violence and public disorder will not be tolerated.
Nandlall comments come in the wake of Tuesday’s demonstration by supporters of the WIN party who gathered outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, demanding the release of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and 20-year-old Police Constable Ryan Greene were remanded to prison on October 30 after being charged under the Cybercrime Act.
Mohamed is accused of paying Greene to download police surveillance footage relating to the October 12 shooting incident outside the residence of Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine.
Nandlall acknowledged that peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional right; but stressed that its exercise must be balanced against the rights and freedoms of others and must not threaten public order.
“Protests certainly can’t be of the type where police officers are pushed down, and barricades are broken, and warning shots have to be issued in the air, and bullet shots have to be issued. That can’t be a peaceful protest,” he said.
Tuesday’s demonstration saw the destruction of barricades and missiles being thrown at law enforcement officers.
The Attorney General also warned against attempts to use protests and public disorder to influence judicial decisions.
“Don’t ever think that putting protesters out there and trying to make create havoc and physical chaos will ever be allowed to intimidate judicial decision making in this country,” he said.
Meanwhile, police arrested a 27-year-old man from Chesney, Corentyne, Berbice, after he allegedly made statements about making explosives commonly referred to as “Channa bombs” during the protest.
The live broadcast, which was conducted during the protest also captured individuals throwing missiles at police ranks, while a male voice saying, “Burn the place.”
