Court temporarily bans Jagdeo from leaving Guyana until ruling on alleged racial incitement

Last Updated on Monday, 25 May 2015, 17:39 by GxMedia

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo was Monday banned from leaving Guyana until the hearing and determination of an indictable charge of uttering racially divisive remarks.

Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram has filed a private criminal charge against Jagdeo, saying that he that he uttered racially divisive remarks in violation of one of Guyana’s electoral laws on March 8 at Babu John, Port Mourant, Corentyne.

Despite efforts by Jagdeo’s lawyers to have the charge scrapped, Whim Magistrate Charlyn Artiga read the charge to the former Guyanese leader while he stood in the dock.

He was not required to plea to the indictable charge. Artiga told Jagdeo that he could not leave Guyana until the hearing and determination of the matter or with the permission of the court in case of an emergency.

Jagdeo was released on self-bail and told to return to court on June 22, 2015.

He is accused of making racially divisive remarks to the public at large in contravention of the Representation of the People Act.

If found guilty, he could be fined GUY$100,000 and jailed for two years.

The Representation of the People Act also says that a guilty person would be barred from being a member of the National Assembly, local democratic organ or the holder of any constitutional or statutory office.