Dominican opposition chief Dr. Thomson Fontaine grew to become the twenty fifth individual arrested in reference to a March 19 protest deemed an “illegal meeting” below Dominica’s Riot Act. Fontaine was granted self-bail on Thursday after showing in court docket.
Fontaine, chief of the United Employees Get together (UWP), accompanied by his authorized workforce, reported to Police Headquarters in Roseau earlier within the day, following a request from legislation enforcement. He was formally charged with taking part in an illegal meeting, the identical indictable offense introduced towards 24 others in latest weeks.
Prosecutors didn’t oppose bail and didn’t search any reporting situations, however requested that Fontaine’s bail be granted with a surety. The protection objected, arguing that others charged in the identical matter had been granted self-bail with out extra necessities. The court docket in the end agreed with the protection.
Earlier than the ruling was handed down, the presiding Justice of the Peace cautioned Fontaine to chorus from making public feedback on the matter, urging him to “let the judiciary cope with the matter.”
Prosecutors informed the court docket that each one 25 defendants can be grouped right into a single case, scheduled to be heard by Senior Justice of the Peace Michael Laudat on June 30. They requested for Fontaine’s case to be consolidated with the others.
– Commercial –
In response, Fontaine’s attorneys signaled their intention to file for Justice of the Peace Laudat’s recusal, ought to the circumstances be joined.
The arrests stem from a protest held on March 19, which authorities have labeled an illegal gathering. Opposition figures, nonetheless, have described the arrests as politically motivated and an try and silence dissent.
