–Dr Jagdeo says in response to incident involving WPA member, emphasises importance of police taking such matters seriously

VIOLENT and hateful comments could have “unintended consequences,” General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said.
“I think the police have to address these matters seriously, because, if we allow this violent rhetoric to take hold of our society, then it could lead to unintended consequences,” Dr Jagdeo said during a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Thursday.

Kidackie Amsterdam, a 46-year-old political activist, was on Thursday released on $200,000 bail for allegedly using a computer system to incite criminal activities against the President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali.
According to Dr Jagdeo, “What he did was illegal and seditious, if you look at what he [the caller on the programme] said.”

Dr Jagdeo later stated: “You don’t see paranoia in this government. And, of course, the law must take its course; and that is what the police are doing.”
Amsterdam, a resident of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, faces allegations of using a computer system to incite criminal activities against the President of Guyana, in violation of Section 18(1)(c) and Section 18(2) of the Cyber Crime Act.

He appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied that on March 27, 2024, at Peter Rose and Anira Streets, Queenstown, he intentionally transmitted ,by use of a computer system, words spoken in a video that encouraged or incited persons to commit a criminal offence, that is, murder against the President of Guyana.

Amsterdam was released on $200,000 bail, and the case was adjourned until June 10.
The charges stem from a controversial episode of Amsterdam’s social media programme, which has sparked national outrage.

During the broadcast, a caller suggested extreme violence against high-ranking government officials, including President Ali, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, advocating their beheading and the public display of their heads on the seawalls.

Amsterdam was arrested by members of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Tuesday, as part of the ongoing investigation into the matter. The police have indicated that additional charges are expected to be filed against him.