UPDATE: Athie Martin arrested and charged with incitement

Martin speaks to reporters after his court appearnace

Police have arrested and charged well-known conservationist and advocate of democracy, Athie Martin, with incitement to block a public road.

However, at the time of writing of this article, he had not yet received a written copy of the charge.

According to our source, this information was conveyed to Martin by Inspector Jean Pierre at about 10:23 this morning at police headquarters.

Martin is being represented by attorneys Cara Shillingford, Gildon Richards, Joshua Francis and Julien Prevost.

Our reporter on the scene disclosed that the police had initially refused access to police headquarters, to Richards, Francis and Prevost who had gone to see Martin.

Police, armed with guns, according to Martin’s wife, Faye, visited his home this morning and asked him to accompany them to police headquarters.

Although, DNO has not yet obtained the official police explanation for the charge of incitement, it is widely believed to be linked to a call by Martin for people to take action by blocking the road in the area where they were located, to protect themselves from the flow of traffic during a CCM-organized demonstration in Roseau on Saturday, December the 15th.

The protest was organized as part of the CCM’s campaign for free and fair elections in Dominica.

Martin is expected to appear in the Roseau Magistrate court at 2 pm today.

A copy of the charge sheet is posted below.

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46 Comments

  1. don2fresh
    December 19, 2018

    You see what I mean when I see they act like bullies and cry wolf when action is taken against them? THIS right here people is what I meant. They are ALWAYS encouraging people to do some nonsense during their protest but recant and act like they were being patriotic and just during their protest so why are legal actions taken against them.

  2. Observer
    December 18, 2018

    The best thing about all this is that people outside are watching and there will be repercussions as all this is clearly wrong and against human rights. Mugabe-style

  3. %
    December 18, 2018

    But Athie did not say “”Go to the faces of UWPites in their car windows,at the supermarkets,in the cemetries,on the plane,etc and call them TRAITOR””.Now this is incitement.Did the Skerrit goons do anything?Did buffoon Carbon do anything? When injustice in a country is so blatant,the country cannot have peace.
    Good citizens,Let’s protest for Electoral Reform.
    It’s our right to do so …No teargas or goons or intimidation should scare us.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

  4. derp
    December 18, 2018

    this is ridiculous, you know what else is ridiculous taking vertical videos look at all that black space on the side, take horizontal videos smh

    • Pragmatik
      December 19, 2018

      lmao stop using the computer. they make those videos on a phone to share to people who mostly use phones so the vertical videos scales well. Although I doubt that they are even aware of that. They only record like that because it’s the most convenient

      • derp
        December 20, 2018

        I legit see people watching horizontal videos vertically on their phones though so it’s not just that, l blame snapchat for this nonsense, and laziness….

  5. Man bites dogs
    December 18, 2018

    I Say Jail Him it’s time we set an example to others like him.

    • viewsexpressed
      December 18, 2018

      Yes, you woof, woof ……”Man who Bites Dogs” We agree with you, Jail the weak Commissioner of Police, Jail failed Inept Skerrit and Like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela have struggled Athie, Hon Linton and other Dominican patriots will persevere and fight the cause for justice and get that Failed inept Skerrit out of office He is a waste of time, a failed PM, and a very incompetent prime (Odd) Minister.
      Man who Bites Dog, barking illiterate behaviour jargon, you will forever stay low at the level that you are now. The Champions of Athie, Hon. Linton and his Decent UWP Team will continue the cause to make our Domininca decent again. Domininca has no money, lacks leadership in the Prime Minister, he behaves Oddly and blindly and has destroyed Domininca and have our people as beggars.

    • RandyX
      December 19, 2018

      I see jail too for the likes of you and your fellow Skerrit supporter very soon. In fact I also see jail for your master and some of his goons namely Astaphan, Austrie and the speaker of the house.

  6. let my people GO
    December 18, 2018

    The people and Government of Saint Vincent celebrating the inaugural flight of America Airline , and a new coast Guard boat! While the Government in Dominica is Oppressing Dominicans. harsh and authoritarian treatment.
    https://news-784.com/local-news/american-lands-svg-takes-off/

    https://news-784.com/local-news/new-coast-guard-vessel-for-svg-arrives-on-saturday

  7. me
    December 18, 2018

    Sock it to them, Cara and the legal dream team! You’ve got the brain power and they’ve got the drain power – draining the country of motivation, money and manufacturing :lol: :lol: :lol:

  8. KID ON THE BLOCK
    December 18, 2018

    CCM, Why do you think the police should protect you when you doing something illegal. All throughout your ads you(CCM) said you are going to have a demonstration. You did so without any permission from the police. Now that Arthie is charged for inciting people (UWPites) to block Government road you all (UWPITES) are saying is a peaceful meeting you all was having.?

  9. walking the line
    December 18, 2018

    well to tell people the truth i am the most anti Skerrit person on this planet but. to tell you the truth it is actually illegal to block a public road in dca. so if he was inciting the people to block the road illegally, then yes he should be charged with incitement but in that same statement i will also say that skerrit himself should also be arrested for a statement he made years ago on a political stage

    “I view them as traitors and I want you to do the same as well,” he told supporters. :When you see them on the streets, in the supermarket, at a funeral, on a plane or even in their cars, shout out to every single one of them – Traitor! What do you call them? Traitor! When you see Lennox Linton, what do you call him? Traitor! When you see Thomson Fontaine, what do you call him? Traitor! When you see Monelle Williams, what do you call her? Traitor!!”}

    what is good for the goose is good for the gander. so skerrit should be in the cell next to mr martin

    • World's Moistest Jheri Curl
      December 18, 2018

      When engaging with critics of the protests with these facts, I will often discover that while many seem intimately familiar with all the rhetorical criticisms about what effect a protest has or its overall merits, few are aware of what is being protested. Generally people do not want to be “inconvenienced.”

      Also, the idea that one should have to petition the Gov’t to hold a protest protesting the Gov’t involves a form of government censorship called “prior restraint.”

      Prior restraint is a form of censorship where a speaker is forced to ask the government for prior permission to speak. It is also a practice our Constitution was originally enumerated to prevent.

      • walking the line
        December 18, 2018

        and you are so right there if your protesting protest but dont drag the general public that do not want to be part of ur protest into it . stand hand in hand all around the office and sing and chant and hold ur meeting but dont incite the people to block the road and make a nuisance of urself.

        if they tell you move get up walk around the block and come back right where you are. that will inconvenience the SSU so much that ull piss them off and have done absolutely nothing wrong

        they will be the ones in the bad books if they react. not you having done an illegal act forcing them to react

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 19, 2018

        Good observation; except the world over even in America the organizers of planed demonstration must get permission from the police, which always grant the permit, and proposed a route for the march.

        Then again there are usually spontaneous demonstrations, where thousands, of people take to the streets as we very often see in America, the city or state government do not call out tropes to disperse crowed of people. However, if the situation gets out of control the law breakers are arrested.

        What they did in Dominica recently arresting poor Athie, is simply harassing him into subjection, and breathing fear into the people!

        Now I have a question since Jerry Curl is a thing of the past; it was an 1980’s thing, and since Good Fred the inventor of that sappy oil died in the mid 80’s the place on the corner of 54th street and Western Avenue in Los Angeles where he manufactured oil is abandoned; where do you still get that nasty oil from!

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

  10. foreign observer
    December 18, 2018

    It appears that someone came to the realization that “oops, we forgot to make arrests on Saturday that justified our use of the Riot Squad and tear gas…gotta get that fixed this morning”. Because otherwise there was no justification.

    • World's Moistest Jheri Curl
      December 18, 2018

      We’ve gone from a once ascendent nation to one that relies on scraps and rations
      We’ve gone from a thriving democracy to an authoritarian regime

      The few in power and their followers should not squelch the voice of peaceful protestors
      Protestors are the lifeblood of any thriving democracy
      It is what we aspire to be

      Maybe – just maybe – if the leaders listened to the complaints of the marginalized groups
      there wouldn’t be a need for protests or disruption

      We are having our own: mouvement des gilets jaunes

  11. TomE
    December 18, 2018

    Our DA police need to learn from the Jamaican and Trini police. I think the UWP would appreciate that instead. The people respect the police in these countries and the police is very tolerant to unlawful protest.

    • Dominican
      December 18, 2018

      Tom, while I appreciate your comments I must make it clear that this did not constitute an unlawful protest.

  12. Jonathan Y St Jean
    December 18, 2018

    Skerritt and his henchmen are trying to create a scenario where they can justify the charge of incitement for which Linton and others are being brought to court. Their case is a weak one so if they can point to others who they claim are inciting violence and find them guilty then it will bolster their effort to divide the opposition. Don’t worry brother Athie, your efforts will not go in vain. You will be vindicated and the dark ruling regime will fall soon

  13. REAL!!!!
    December 18, 2018

    Trump up charges again………. ..Soon they will be planting evidence on citizens to arrest them because they are voicing their dissatisfaction with the DLP GOVT.

    Skerrit and his Mongoose Gang( SSU).

    It is TIME for folks to defend themselves.

    • Look nonsense
      December 18, 2018

      True.. it will be called ‘arrest for having an opinion’ and will fit in perfectly with the cabal’s plans to intimidate and bully all those who aren’t licking their boots

  14. jamie
    December 18, 2018

    Pure bull charge,Mr.martin do not let Skerrit scare you,Skerrit is a coward and is using the police force,for his own political use,Dominica is being ruined by this dictator,Skerrit your day of havoc will come to and end shortly.

  15. concerned
    December 18, 2018

    Dominica is in a sad state of affairs. I do not support any political party in particular but Dominica is way behind in the region. The opposition is being oppressed by the government and this is one of many forms of living under a dictatorship. Dominica is following the lines of Mengistu in Ethiopa, and other dictatorial regimes in African. It is a right down shame, but history has proven that all dictators FALL.

  16. Citizen of banana republic
    December 18, 2018

    Intimidation… the only way they can hang onto their power… what a way to run a country… it’s jokes!

  17. Sylvester Cadette
    December 18, 2018

    Voisin, s’il te plaît, dis-moi ce qui nous est arrivé à la Dominique, eh? Que s’est-il passé à la Dominique le week-end dernier?
    I ask in French because we seemingly no longer understand English in its simplest terms. Dominica only understands the language of politics and I hope, maybe some French creole & French. I hope we are not descending into MACAQUIWE, KOSHONI, BAGAI SORT and LA BÊTISE!
    I lived in Ukraine and Russia and visited these countries multiple times: Poland, the then East Germany, Crimea, Moldova, Romania border town, the border of Czechoslovakia, Cuba, Venezuela, Turkey, the Golan Heights.
    The lesson from all these countries is NEVER INTIMIDATE THE MASSES.
    Cet animal est très méchant:(This animal is very wicked)
    Quand on l’attaque, il se défend.(when you attack it, it defends itself)

    We must learn dialogue, negotiation, détente, rapprochement, and collaboration. Dominica has most of what it needs to develop – we just seem not able to harness it properly.

    • Joe
      December 18, 2018

      Sylvester I am confuse, who is intimidating the public???? Athie cannot tell the 12 people to block government road on his wills and fancies and get away with it, or in your books he can?

      The masses are not interested in the rubbish and desperate tactics those who oppose the DLP governance comes up with and that’s getting them extremely angry!!!!

      • Your auntie brother
        December 18, 2018

        Joe, the police chief himself say today that they are there to protect the people so why did his men attack them instead, without provocation? I feel the police came ready for action, all geared up and wind up. They could not go home without showing off what they can do, they must let off steam. Someone could have been seriously hurt and I would blame the police for that.

      • Sylvester Cadette
        December 18, 2018

        :-D Do not be confused. :-D :-D Above you see my simple underlying message: We must learn dialogue, negotiation, détente, rapprochement, and collaboration. I am certain that all sides can do better

        You are asking me Quote: ” if in your books he can”? Garcon oui pas Konet mwe man. I NEVER CONDONE chaos however it would seem to me, based on reports, that the use of Tear gas seem rather highly excessive.

        And assuming that Athie Martin was afoul of the law, all we need is a uniformed Police officer to request he visit them at the Police HQ. This running up and down with Military uniform and displaying military fashioned weaponry seem rather puerile to downright intimidatory if you ask me – :-D and I do not have to belong to ANY OF THE THREE POLITICAL TRIBES to come to that conclusion.

        If you disagree, then go back to my two opening sentences (in French) and share your story if you think I have it wrong. I love to listen and be balanced. :-D

    • Pragmatik
      December 18, 2018

      You might want to remove Cuba and Venezuela from that list as those populations are completely subdued right now and directly as a result of this type of political maneuvering.

      They start small and continuously make steps to erode constitutional rights until they have enough power to go full force. Add to that a completely blind and ignorant majority who are blinded by colors and cheap thrills and handouts and you have the perfect recipe for a totalitarian regime.

      I can only hope that we never go down that path.

    • Me
      December 18, 2018

      In this case I believe the translation of “mechant” as “mean” would be more appropriate.

      • Sylvester Cadette
        December 18, 2018

        :-D actually generally speaking you are correct but you will find that “méchant” translates as wicked but could also be “mean” (synonyms). In the quote the emphasis was on the degree of “meaness” to portray the thought process at the time in France hence the word “wicked” was used in translation:

        Cet animal est très méchant: (This animal is very wicked)
        Quand on l’attaque, il se défend. (when you attack it, it defends itself)

        Thanks my friend

    • Ras
      December 18, 2018

      Sylvester, now that you have access to the details of the police complaint,you may wish to reconsider your comment and instead admonish Martin for his irresponsibility. He got what he was asking for didn’t he?
      I would advise you to familiarize yourself with the facts re efforts at electoral reform by the Government of Dominica, and come back with an objective analysis of the situation!
      Also, maybe you should bring your mind back to February 7 2017 when the mob stirred up by opposition leaders went on a rampage in Roseau! I never saw any comment from you condemning Linton’s subsequent cheering on of the Salisbury supporters to rain stones upon the Police

      • viewsexpressed
        December 18, 2018

        Ras, You talking BS. Were you there, did you see any action of fighting, bullying, misbehaviour of the crowd and that f Athie, a well known advocate for decency , good governance and agricultural industry. Our heroes, those with experience and knowledge f development are being beaten and harassed by this corrupt and useless, illiterate labour government.
        Skerrit must Go, Get lost and go away,…yu have hurt and killed our nature isle.

  18. Neville
    December 18, 2018

    We all need to stop Skerrit. We can not allow this to continue. Who does Skerrit think he is?? Throw the thief of!

  19. weh
    December 18, 2018

    Change is a must labour must go

  20. Shaka Zulu
    December 18, 2018

    I want to know who gave the order? Selective arrest is not enforcing law. Was the lady who threw the hot water on young man arrested. Are the ministers who sexually harrased our young women in gov offices arrested? Are the know drug dealers who destroy our youth arrested? Are the gang leaders who terrorize oir communities arrestes? It seems like most of tbe folks who are reprimanded for speaking are politically motivated. It is also illegal for the Prome minister to ne giving orders to the police as to who to arrest. Skerrit needs to resign from politics becuase he is going to bring bloodshed to the streets of Dominica 18 years is enough.

    • Liz M
      December 18, 2018

      Shaka, 18 years is enuff, 15 should be max. I wonder why they didn’t add term limits to the list for reform, but I don’t think he will bring bloodshed to the streets as you stated safely from your perch overseas. You all can still win an election, just be patient, it doesn’t have to be violent.

  21. Channel 1
    December 18, 2018

    Was Roosevelt Skerrit ever arrested for his following utterances:

    {At the public meeting the Prime Minister had said that he views members of the UWP as ‘traitors.’

    “I view them as traitors and I want you to do the same as well,” he told supporters. :When you see them on the streets, in the supermarket, at a funeral, on a plane or even in their cars, shout out to every single one of them – Traitor! What do you call them? Traitor! When you see Lennox Linton, what do you call him? Traitor! When you see Thomson Fontaine, what do you call him? Traitor! When you see Monelle Williams, what do you call her? Traitor!!”}

    Reminder – https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/uwp-to-file-criminal-complaints-in-light-of-pm-skerrits-statements/

    Isn’t the above also Incitement as defined as “the action of provoking unlawful behavior or urging someone to behave unlawfully.”

    Surely such harassment is not lawful. What is good for the goose is good for the gander!

  22. ben
    December 18, 2018

    Not surprise at what is going on in DA right not, its a FAIL STATE. After 40 years of indep. just heard an add. for connecting flights to the island. My people this is 2018.

  23. READ PATRIOT
    December 18, 2018

    DOMINICA NOT A REAL PLACE XDD :-D :-D :-D

  24. BogoRoy Williams
    December 18, 2018

    In time to come, Mr. Lofty Durand will be next, then Coipel and then Blessings.

  25. Dominican
    December 18, 2018

    Fae continue to trust in God, he is a just God and persecution does not last forever, there is victory with God!

  26. %
    December 18, 2018

    Their aim is to lock up all the leaders leading the charge for electoral reform ..Leaders will spring out from all over,but we good Dominicans demand Electoral Reform…This is not a Skerrit thing,it is a Dominica thing.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  27. AA
    December 18, 2018

    Them fellas looking for it they go find it

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