PNCR linked to alleged acts of terrorism at Mon Repos

Robin Nadata Simon, a 44-year-old housewife of Haslington, East Coast Demerara, is the tenth person to face terrorism-related charges stemming from the June 2022 unrest along the ECD corridor.

The woman identified as a PNCR activist is the first person charged, who has direct links to the PNCR-led Parliamentary Opposition, the APNU+AFC Coalition.

On the day in question, in June 2022, a misleading media report by an online outlet, was identified as the reason for the protest. The protestors marched Golden Grove – passing through the villages of Haslington, Enmore, Paradise, Enterprise, Melanie, Coldingen, Bladen Hall, Strathspey, Vigilance, Friendship, Buxton, Annandale, Lusignan, Good Hope – to Mon Repos, where persons were beaten and robbed, vehicles were damaged and the stalls of vendors were looted and burned down. Also, during protest, roads were blocked with debris and tyres were burned.

Notably, Leader of the PNCR and Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton, after the unrest at Mon Repos, claimed that the persons who committed the wrongdoings were “planted” by the incumbent PPP/C Administration. On June 30, 2022, Norton, during a social media broadcast, said, “Many of these marauders or looters are directed by the PPP and their political agents.”

Subsequently, on February 15, 2023, he claimed that the PNCR-led Coalition will defend the persons who participated in the protests and were named in arrest warrants issued by the Police Force. Norton said,

“They issued arrest warrants under some terrorism act for innocent people on the East Coast who participated in the protests. They now describing them as terrorists. We will support them. We will do everything to deal with it. But let me say this cannot continue.”

Simon was not required to plead to the indictable charge when she appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts on March 9, 2023, Police Headquarters said in a statement. The charge was laid contrary to Section 109 (A) (1) (b) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. As per the condition of her bail, which was granted in the sum of $250,000, Simon, who was arrested on Monday, March 6, is required to lodge her passport with the Clerk of Court, and report every fortnight to the Cove and John Police

Station, ECD. Her case has been adjourned until March 28, 2023.

Last month, nine men were arraigned before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts to answer similar charges. Those charged are: Phillip Burke, Mark Hercules, Dave Berkshire, Terrence Adolphus Nedd, Anthony English, Keyon Glasgow, Jullian Peters, Tony McLennon, and Carlos Kingston.

Particulars of the charges allege that on June 28, 2022, between Golden Grove and Mon Repos, ECD, while being in the company of others, with the intent to strike terror, they used wood and other materials to block, burn and damage the public road.

They, too, were not required to plead to the indictable charges that were laid contrary to Section 309 (A)

(1) (b) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued wanted bulletins for 14 persons, including Simon who, several months ago, had allegedly attacked several vendors at the Mon Repos Market while reportedly ‘protesting’ the Police shooting death of Quindon Bacchus, a father of one and resident of Haslington, ECD. In the following days, several of them turned themselves over to the Police in the company of lawyers.

Four of the suspects are still on the run.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the suspects still at large is being asked to contact the Police at: 2292557, 229-2700, 229-2750, 225-6978, 225-8196, 2292019, or at the nearest Police station. All information would be treated with strict confidence.