“Poverty no excuse for looting, public terror” – VP

…says supports law enforcement action against lawbreakers

Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has strongly denounced recent acts of violence and looting that erupted during public unrest surrounding the tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, whose body was discovered in the pool of the now-gutted Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) nearly 24 hours after she was reported missing from the hotel on April 23.
The discovery of her body sparked countrywide concern, since there were reports that the pool was previously searched and there were no signs of the child’s body.
Following the pronouncement that the child’s death was consistent with drowning, the persons hijacked the protests for justice which turned into widespread acts of terror and looting during coordinated unrest.
Speaking on the actions of the looters among others, Jagdeo made it clear that poverty and so-called “underprivileged” cannot be used to justify lawlessness.
With this in mind, he expressed deep concern over what he described as the exploitation of a national tragedy for political and criminal ends. Condemning both the violence and what he called the “dishonouring” of Adrianna’s memory by individuals who, under the guise of protest, engaged in looting, unprovoked attacks, and destruction of property.

Exploitation of tragedy
“I wanted to address this matter when I speak of the exploitation of the tragic death of Adrianna Younge. But recently, some people have been speaking of, first of all, we’ve had, I spoke of this before, a number of people who we believe dishonour this child’s death and life, and their family made it clear too, they don’t want violence, by engaging in violent activities and looting, beating people up, stabbing them unprovoked on the street, like the homeless man, all in the name of justice… But if, whether they’re PPP or not, I support strong enforcement action against anyone who broke the law. I support that,” Jagdeo said.
Meanwhile, responding to recent claims from elements within the opposition who have shifted narratives, first disassociating from the unrest, then blaming the ruling PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party Civic) for provoking the violence, and now defending the perpetrators as “underprivileged” victims of systemic neglect, VP Jagdeo clarified once again that “poverty does not grant immunity from the law.”
“So, some, a few people, very few, may be caught up in the protests unfairly. But the majority of those people who are charged and before the court, they’re video evidence of their transgressions, them breaking the law, looting or harming people. Now, they’re not, they have to be dealt with in a single way, with the full force of the law. Anybody, nobody is immune from strong legal action,” he assured.
On May 1, 43 individuals from across Guyana were charged and remanded to prison in connection with widespread acts of terrorism and looting during coordinated unrest that erupted nationwide on April 28.
Following swift police operations and nationwide arrests, dozens of accused individuals have appeared before various Magistrates, including Senior Magistrate Fabyo Azore, to face indictable charges of terrorism under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), over 100 persons have been arrested in relation to the unrest, and more individuals are likely to be charged in the coming days.
Under the Act, persons can be fined no less than $500,000, and would be imprisoned for no less than 10 years nor more than 15 years.
Under the law, anyone who conspires or attempts to commit or advocates, aids and abets; or advises or incites; or knowingly facilitates the commission of a terrorist act, or commits an offence, shall be punished for the offence as if s/he had been guilty as an offender.