Kaieteur News publication of information is contemptuous
– clearly an attempt to pervert the course of justice

THE Attorneys-at-Law for Glenn Lall and Kaieteur News ought to be aware of the principle of sub judice and the concept of contempt of court. For their edification, the sub judice rule regulates the publication of matters which are under consideration of the court and matters are considered and remain sub judice once proceedings are active. In the case of criminal charges the

proceedings are deemed active when a person is arrested, a warrant for arrest has been issued, a summons has been issued or a person has been charged and remains so active until conviction.

Prejudicial publication of material which is sub judice comprises contempt of court, a crime under the Laws of Guyana. In light of the foregoing, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) wishes to advise that statements purportedly attributed to Mr. Robin Hunte, Attorney-at-Law for Glenn Lall, Bhena Lall and Kaieteur News are evidently contemptuous, since statements published are likely to create, and were calculated to create a substantial risk of prejudicing the course of justice in the proceedings against Glenn Lall, Bhena lall, Garbassi Brijnan and Narootandeo Brijnan. These statements are intended to interfere with the administration of justice in pending proceedings.
The GRA said it is of the view that the statements attributed to Hunte are as erroneous as they are contemptuous. The defendants were charged with various offences against the Customs Laws including dealing with goods with intent to defraud the Revenue Authority of duties, fraudulent evasion of Customs duties, making and subscribing a false declaration, etc. The Revenue Authority maintains that these charges were properly laid and contends that Mr. Hunte misapprehended the Laws perhaps to the detriment of his clients, or with intent to pervert the course of justice in this matter.

It is apparent that the Kaieteur News and Mr. Hunte intend to engage in trial by newspaper rather than trial by Judicial process. The Revenue Authority calls upon the Guyana Bar Association to condemn this attempt by one of its members to pervert the course of justice and on the Honourable Chancellor of the Judiciary to protect the administration of Justice and the integrity of the Judicial process.