Jagdeo, Magistrate Artiga faceoff over racial incitement charge
, [www.inewsguyana.com], Source
Former President Dr Bharrat Jadgeo has launched a legal challenge over the decision of Berbice-based Magistrate Charlyn Artiga to slap him with a charge of racial incitement as was alleged by political activist Christopher Ram.
Information reaching iNews indicated that Jagdeo filed the motion in the Berbice High Court before Justice William Ramlall and the matter was is scheduled to come up for hearing on July 17.
The former President was charged with racial incitement as was alleged by Ram and was not required to plea to the charge when he first appeared at the court and was released on his own recognizance.
The charge against Jagdeo stemmed from remarks he made at Babu John, Port Mourant in March at the commemorative event for late Presidents Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan.
Magistrate Charlyn Artiga
The former President had said, “they shout about racism of the PPP, but they practise racism. They whisper campaigns. In the last elections they went to some of the Afro- Guyanese villages and beat some drums at 6 O’clock in the morning and say let us throw out these coolie people. Get up, go out and vote, throw out the coolie people. That’s the kind of language they use. Anybody from our party who uses that sort of language, we will kick them out.”
Ram in his charge argued that Jagdeo’s statement “can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people” as set out in Section 139 D of the Representation of the People Act. Under the Act, if found guilty Jagdeo faces a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
Jagdeo’s lawyers are challenging the decision made by the Magistrate to charge him contending that it lacked proper reasoning.
