WIN supporters take protest to Freedom House after bail hearing

Supporters of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) marched from the High Court to Freedom House on Robb Street yesterday afternoon, demanding justice and the release of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed following the hearing of his bail application.

Police carrying riot shields formed a barricade opposite the PPP/C headquarters, and protesters subsequently gathered at the corner of Wellington and Robb streets.

The demonstration began outside the High Court, where supporters carrying Guyana flags marched in circles and called for justice and equality. After proceedings were adjourned, they made their way to Freedom House to continue the protest.

One person leading the chants called for justice not only for Mohamed but also for Gavin Kennard Douglas, who died following his detention at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.

As the crowd grew, police assembled in front of the protesters and became the focus of some chants.

“The Police took an oath to serve and protect us but yall don’t protect we, yall killing some of we,” one protester shouted.

Others asked officers how they would feel if they were in the protesters’ position.

Several businesses nearby were observed closing their doors as the demonstration continued, while passers-by watched from a distance.

One protester told Kiskadee Watch that distrust of the police force and concern for Mohamed’s safety in custody had prompted their participation. Another complained about what he regarded as unequal treatment by the justice system.

“People getting murdered and certain people walking free and that can’t be justice,” he said.

He alleged that officers had physically pushed protesters away from their initial position opposite Freedom House.

“We stand up peaceful we ain’t do anything and they come and physically push us you’ll see it on the live,” he said.

Many of the businesses in the area like Payless and the Home Store closed their shutters when the protestors arrived but there was no violence.

A vendor and a pharmacist operating near Wellington and Robb streets told Kiskadee Watch that their businesses had not been hindered by the demonstration. The vendor said he continued trading because he expected the protest to remain peaceful.

Police officers continued to direct the traffic and eventually the protestors dispersed from Robb Street.

The demonstration followed yesterday’s High Court hearing before Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif on the application filed by Mohamed’s mother, Bonita Mohamed, challenging the refusal of bail in his cybercrime case.

A preliminary ruling is expected on November 13th and the hearing of the substantive application will be on November 23rd.

Mohamed and Constable Ryan Greene were remanded on October 30 in connection with the alleged unauthorised obtaining and disclosure of police surveillance footage. That matter is separate from the extradition proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed. 

Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday refused, for a second consecutive day, the prosecution’s request to revoke Mohamed’s bail in the extradition proceedings, finding that breaches of his conditions had not been established. 

Source: Kiskadee Watch