APNU+AFC media release

For immediate release

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Harmon calls for Guyana Police Force to cease and desist from inciting and intimidating Belladrum residents

The Guyana Police Force has this evening transformed the peaceful village of Belladrum into a virtual war zone.

Presumptive Leader of the APNU+AFC Opposition Joseph Harmon has issued an urgent call on the Guyana Police Force to immediately cease and desist from inciting and intimidating the peaceful residents of the West Coast Berbice village.

Specifically, Mr. Harmon calls on Commander Cooper, Deputy Commander Mandal and Sergeant McDonald and all other officers and ranks who have occupied the village to stand down with immediate effect.

Reports from the village are that heavily armed police in full riot gear have taken up positions at virtually every corner of the village and residents are frightened and fearful by their alarming and sudden presence.

“It would appear as though Guyana has descended into a police state, no murder or major crime has been committed in Belladrum, why are the police targeting this village?” Mr Harmon queried.

“Our supporters and the residents of Belladrum are frightened tonight as a result of this massive police presence in the village without any explanation or warning whatsoever,” Harmon added.

“There is absolutely no need for this excessive action by the police, it is clearly designed to incite and intimidate and the APNU+AFC Coalition will not tolerate it,” Harmon declared.

Residents of Belladrum yesterday staged a peaceful, socially distanced protest calling public attention to the mistreatment of GECOM Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo by the Guyana Police Force. Mr Mingo has been in police custody for several days and the High Court ordered his release today. The Guyana Police Force has disregarded the order of the court and has kept Mr. Mingo in custody beyond the legally permissible 72 hours. The APNU+AFC also demands the immediate release of Mr. Mingo from police custody.

“The civil liberties and the constitutional rights of citizens are being trampled and abused by the Guyana Police Force which has clearly reverted to being a political tool of persecution for the fraudulent and illegitimate PPP regime, the likes of which was the case prior to 2015,” Harmon observed.

-ENDS-

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