POLICE have slapped charges against 12 of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) protesters who were involved in Tuesday’s controversial demonstration. But only six of them appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell yesterday, jointly charged with taking part in a prohibited procession and speaking at a meeting without notice.
All the defendants, attorney-at-law James Bond, retired army Brigadier Edward Collins, Abianna Joseph, Clifton Newman, Bruce Whatley and Fitzroy Corlette (no addresses given), pleaded not guilty to the taking part in the December 6 procession in Georgetown.
Collins and Bond denied they spoke at a meeting for which no notice was given.
People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader Robert Corbin entered appearance for the Defence, in association with Mr. Michael Somersall, Mr. Basil Williams and Mrs. Debra Backer.
Corbin, telling the Court that the defendants are well known and well respected Guyanese and that the charges are malicious, requested that the six be sent away on their own recognisances.
Police Sergeant Lionel Harvey, prosecuting, maintained that the defendants assembled in the city and were not given permission to do so. He said police arrived on the scene and ordered the gathering to leave but they refused and were arrested.
He had no objection to bail and the lawyer’s application was granted, with the cases  being postponed to February 13, 2012.
Summonses were issued for David Hinds, Keyno Henry, Winston Greaves, Hamilton Holder, Adriana Moses and Casey Duncan, all of whom were also alleged to have been marching ‘illegally’ along Brickdam when police fired rubber bullets injuring some, among them Collins and Bond.
Students and teachers in nearby schools were affected and police and the Ministry of Home Affairs have, since, said it was a very unfortunate occurrence but APNU has called for an inquiry into it.