Two controversial Guyanese, Mark Benschop, a social and political activist and Freddie Kissoon, a university lecturer and columnist of the Kaiteur News newspaper, who were arrested for two minor offences and were locked up for two nights, went on hunger strike, and were eventually granted bail, thus aborting habeas corpus proceedings filed on their behalf.
They were granted bail by Magistrate Chandra Sohan in the sum of one Guyana dollar each, which is half a US penny.
Their lawyer, Nigel Hughes, said that they were locked up because of malice, since both charges were minor ones and do not carry imprisonment, but merely small fines.
They were charged with wilfully remaining in the La Repentir Cemetery to prevent the movement of traffic, and obstructing municipal workers from carrying out their duties. The arrest came after Benschop went to the cemetery and sat in front of the gate to prevent trucks from dumping garbage in the area, since it was creating a health hazard.
It is understood that, after Benschop was arrested, Kissoon went to his assistance and he also was arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station, where they were locked up.
Their lawyers moved to the High Court by way of habeas corpus proceedings, but bail was granted and they were released before Chief Justice Ian Chang could deal with the application. They were ordered to return to court on February 9.
On Thursday afternoon, the Working People’s Alliance issued a statement calling on the police to apologise, stating that they granted station bail to a man who was charged for being in possession of cocaine and they refused to do so for two prominent men who were arrested for minor offences.
The WPA said that Benshop and Kissoon should be complimented for protesting against a health hazard.
