The arrest over the weekend of former United Workers Party senator Dr. Thomson Fontaine, has been drawing strong criticism from a number of prominent Dominicans in Dominica and overseas.
Dr. Fontaine was arrested at Melville Hall Airport upon his arrival in Dominica on Saturday, April 23. The former IMF economist who, for the past four years, has been employed as Economic and International Policy Adviser to the government of South Sudan, Africa, was arrested by the police who were executing a bench warrant issued for his arrest in 2018.
In 2018, Fontaine was among UWP members including Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, former prime minister Edison James and current Speaker of the House, Joseph Isaac, who were charged by the police with incitement.
The defendants are accused of unlawfully inciting people and jeopardizing the public safety order and public peace, contrary to law, following a public meeting in Roseau on February 7, 2017 calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
After having been adjourned to March 2019, the matter was suddenly moved to November 22, 2018 at the request of lead prosecutor, Trinidadian Senior Counsel, Israel Khan.
However, Fontaine, who was summoned and served to appear in court was absent and his lawyer, Gildeon Richards, told the court that he was not able to account for Fontaine’s absence.
At Khan’s request, Magistrate Asquith Riviere issued a warrant for Fontaine’s arrest.
Gabriel Christian, a Dominica-born attorney based in the US, is among a number of Dominicans, here and abroad, who have raised their voices in condemning the arrest of Thomson Fontaine.
Christian has called on the Government of Dominica to release Dr. Fontaine immediately.
“We asking for peace in our country… we are calling on all Dominicans to rally for the call, for the immediate release of Dr. Fontaine, the protection of his dignity and our democracy at all cost. We shall spare no hazard in that regard, and we shall stand to our duties…you can take our lives, but you cannot take our spirit.” Christian said in a zoom meeting on Saturday evening.
Justice Irving Andre who also participated in the meeting, noted that there was no legal requirement for Fontaine to have been arrested immediately following his arrival in Dominica.
“They could easily have advised Dr. Thomson to report to the police station at a certain time on a weekday so that whatever it is that they have against him can be dealt with [in] that type of fashion. There’s no apparent reason why that should not have been done,” Justice Andre said.
Andre added that what makes the situation more concerning is that Dr. Fontaine has been a vociferous critic of the [Dominican] political directorate which he said raises the question as to the quality of justice that exists in Dominica.
“And it seems to me that again, these acts by state agents throw into question the quality of justice that we have. Do we have a system that works very efficiently and expeditiously when it involves, someone who is known to be an opponent of the political directorate?”
Dr. Fontaine’s safety is of utmost concern to Dr. Dale Dangleben, another US-based, Dominica-born professional, , who confessed to being “shaken up”, “frustrated” and angered by the situation which had befallen his good friend and former teacher.
“My concern right now is the safety of Dr. Thomson Fontaine and we know that there’s been human rights violation and police brutality in Dominica and quite a few people have been beaten to death in police custody down there and we’re dealing with an unstable dictatorship,” stated the Pennsylvania-based trauma surgeon. “A lot of good Dominicans have been vilified by this current government, making good people look bad and being arrested repeatedly.”
Dangleben continued, “My appeal to the Dominican people is Fontaine has done a lot for Dominica. Not just from teaching us when he was a young teenager, but throughout his career and trying to represent Dominica in the best light and what does he get? He lands in the airport and he gets arrested and taken down to the prison and we don’t know what’s going on with him.”
Meantime, Leader of the opposition, Lennox Linton, who spoke outside of Police Headquarters on Saturday night – the night Fontaine was arrested – said it has been four years since this court case started and it has gone absolutely nowhere.
“The last time we were in court two weeks ago, the magistrate sitting on the case recused herself with no reason…but all of a sudden Fontaine’s absence became such a great importance that it was necessary to issue a bench warrant for his arrest to appear in court on a case that has gone nowhere for four years.”
He said the police seem to know every little detail to harass members of the opposition and persons who exercise the right to stand for themselves.
“I am sick and tired of all of these [infringements] on the freedom of people and their rights,” he stated.
The UWP leader insists that Fontaine’s arrest was politically motivated.
He better be careful, yours truly the dictator may have his goon squad disappear him in the Atlantic ocean at night. Yours truly just got an award from Cuba for good behavior.
Getting the leadership of the UWP is easy, but getting elected to
Parliament is different. He tried it through the back door as an appointed Senator and failed miserably, his job to fix another Country was more important, what that tells you about Thomson, his profession and ego before Country, lol, he ran for a seat in Parliament and failed, you tell us how he is going to be The next PM.
Enjoy the freedom of expressing your fantasy.
The above reply was meant for @ ole Police
Bravo!!!!!! did I hear school children say that Thomson Fountain is back to assume Leadership of the Opposition Parties and skerrit and his Carbal mad! mad! mad!; well boy guess what we glad! glad! glad! at least a real PhD (Dr) will be PM of Dominica and a real and more than qualified Economist will be Min of Finance; put dat in all you pipe and smoke it.
DNO Let Ibo France become the Editor in chief.
These people always know what is best and they try to intimidate people to say what they want to hear. Controlism. DNO is bringing the news. What others say. Ibo you and the rest if you do not stop your foolishness, then the time is going by quickly. You will not have made any meaningful contribution to a nation you claim to love. Age is growing. Change the strategy! Stop talking about one man! He is pM today. Let him do the work assigned to him. Strategize and advise your leadership to stop those tactics that will not attract but push away anyone who seriously thinks about nation-building or wants to help in the development of Dominica. Stop classifying persons when they offer some advice to you. Be objective, not full of yourselves. Only then you can look through, design, and provide alternatives for consideration. All spewed from you and the many others are hatred, strife, and ugliness. Actions not encouraging progress
My man don’t worry when their donkey bray they start braying soon after it. Antigua have a lot of white donkeys.
Out of context. Stick to the story at hand. Bench warrant. Left country without permission. The lawyer stated that he cannot account for his client.
Why this is good for another person and not for him? Is he above the Law? When it is the Ghetto boys or others, this is ok, or even when they are extradited or sent down from Guadeloupe.
Do you people know when they caught illegals in Gwada, they are sent down handcuffed to the Police?
EXACTLY! everything does not have to be political. The man on record saying he is in line for some high position in Africa so he will deal with that first and put Dominica off until this is done. you are NOT ABOVE THE LAW! your own attorney could not account for you. So a bench warrant was issued. What exactly is the issue with the officers executing the warrant? These people will not dare try that in America! Respect the laws of the land!
A whole lot of you guys are instigators of overthrowing the government, wars, strife, and all ugliness, not peacemakers; dissatisfied with yourselves; bitter angry old men who apparently wasted their time and talent. Looking for a way to make fast money at the expense of the Dominican populace especially your followers whom you have taught nothing about governance. Some under the guise of being University graduates, Doctors, etc.,
I am challenging all you dissatisfied guys, ladies to go to a quiet place and introspect. Be quiet, still, don’t fool yourselves. Ask yourselves – Am I genuine when I say I fight for my country being so negative, etc, also hating my fellow Dominicans to the extent that I like wars, strife, and always looking for noticing (forefront)? Why can I not do something positive like a proposal, suggestions, and whatever I can do with the gift I have? All I do is hate someone in authority, even if he is not perfect, am I doing something to assist? Majee alone!
So many foolish comments on here.
Now I know why those so-called “Smarters” will use you all to do their foolishness for them because non of you stick to the point of fact in question.
All of you breathing hatred against one person – A PM of a country. Those behind you want to rule a country using you at the forefront.
When will you stop your subjective ideas, think right?
How can people support such a party that has no reasoning?
Someone start a new party and prevent those people with their insecurities and hatefulness out of the new party. Those roamers destroying all that is being built.
Screen them – the haters’ demonstraters, big mouth talkers, lazy not helping anyone, Always bitter, those who wasted their youthful years; those who do not want to move on suffering from mid-life crisis; those who are disgusted with themselves (no self-esteem); those who hate younger persons who seem to have done a lot for themselves.
I serious weed them out – not an…
If you want to tell a story, please tell the entire story! In your own words, why does your PM refuse to give the citizens of DA a full account of our CBI money, why does he refuse to deliver electoral reform and why does he refuse to account for the U$100million which were written of by Venezuela but were never accounted for by him or his sidekick Austrie. I mean, somebody who has nothing to hide would do these things without being asked. Has the penny dropped now? Why didn’t he make a statement to the nation explaining what the Choksi affair was all about. How about those international criminals that were found in possession of a Dominican passport or some even had a Dominican diplomatic passport?? I guess you still insist your PM is a good man and the ‘Smarters’ are the bad ones. You are just another of those brain washed ones!!!
My gosh, you say you are a Lawyer, telling an entire story is one thing, before you tell the entire story you have to get your facts correct as to what message you intend to communicate. Look at your comment, have you put any thought before you wrote what you communicated, do you think your political narratives and allegations conveys the entire story of what you wrote, facts and evidence are important in conveying a story, that’s what gives credibility to a story.
Before you judge someone or assume they are guilty, that too has a process, you must not judge arbitrarily or what you think. This is not about insisting The PM is a good Man,
are the people you support politically good Men, leave the judgement of good men to the Divine. Why do you think the person who made the above comment is brainwashed, lol, be content with your stories.
You PM is a Gangster. He failed to account for billions of CBI money and millions of PetroCaribe money.
That circus clown Gary will at least try to defend this as well. He is a master at defending the indefensible. Having said that, most Labour supporters do that. The CM probably pay them $20 to buy a cheap bottle of rum, every time they do so.
Dixie,you and the other UWP supporters are habitual liars,typical UWP Thompson Fontaine Matt on q95 that what you are saying is a damn lie.Fontaine said he was never manhandled.Your mind is the mind of a corrupt,lying,fake news, false information and gossip.
you a clown….. I cant take you seriously!
Fontaine safety my A,no body want to hurt Fontaine,something that can be easily done.Fontaine must respect the police and the court.Thousands of poor people have spent Saturday and Sunday in the cell,arrested on the strength of a bench warrant.The bench warrant is good for the poor and not for Fontaine?Lennox Linton want to be PM.Gabriel Christian want to be minister of foreign affairs.Irvin Andre want to be minister of legal affairs.Thompson Fontaine want to be minister of finance.Jonathan Y St.Jean want to be minister of agriculture.All of them have spent all the fruitful years working for foreign governments.All of them are citizens of a foreign country.None of them have done anything meaningfully in the development of Dominica.As long as the DLP remain in power they will never be needed in Dominica.
Editor please, the name is Thomson Fontaine and not Thompson Fontaine. Thank you.
ADMIN: Thank you for pointing that out. The typo has been corrected.
Can someone please explain to me why is it criminality and low self-control is a symbolic behaviour within the UWP and supporters? Just asking not criticizing.
Given Skerrit is taking pages out of the playback of dictators, I am surprised he gas not sent our cops (in battle fatigue) to Ukraine to fight on the side of the Russians.
A warrant was issued for his absence in court, police had the right to detain Dr. Fontaine but the manner he was detained was uncalled for. The police did not even wait to process the man in immigration, they grabbed him and manhandled him. As a former senator of the Commonwealth of Dominica he could be approached read that there is a warrant for his arrest and escorted to the police for questioning.
Police in Dominica believe they are the Law but real Law has many sides
I applaud the officers that was directed to investigate Athie Martin and was informed he may be arrested and then allow the matter to be played in court
on another note I would like to know if the current Speaker is still facing the same charges as all the rest of opposing member, if he is not I smell witch-hunt.
Dixie Normas were you at the airport?
You spoke like you were an eyewitness?
Were you traveling with him?
I like eyewitness reports. I only hope you are not repeating what you heard.
I like factual truth.
I need an answer from you.
the only facts you want is your facts!
Stop your silliness, ok is it factual what you said took place at the airport, were you there to witness such thing, that is all @I need a factual answer trying to ascertain.
That is what some people cannot understand, they make their own facts to suit their political agenda they follow, it’s a dangerous and mischievous thinking that has taken over our Country, Just look at the above story, portrayed by these men
and what makes it sad, they are not accountable for saying such things with impunity, it is their political agenda that matters most. As I have always said, Politics can do strange things to the mind,
People like you are ignorant of the facts of the matter, and the reason for such victimization.
Amusing a warrant was issued for Thomson’s arrest; that was issued more than five years ago!
Thomson was not a fugitive from justice in Dominica, the returned to Dominica in recent years, before this incident; they could have arrested him before now.
They did that to embarrass him!
In common law there are legal terms and laws know as statute of limitations which is the maximum amount of time allowed for a party to initiate legal proceedings, whether filing criminal charges, or a civil lawsuit.
In the case of murder there are no statute of limitation.
Now this law may not exists in a Banana Republic such as Dominica, and if it exists in Dominica, it does not apply to people like Fountain whom they desire to victimized; nevertheless wheresoever Common Law is adapted, and practice there must be statute of limitation on legal case over five years.
You need to shut up okay!
Nobody is above the law, not even the Prime Minister. Fontaine showed contempt when he was supposed to appear in court and did not appear. A bench warrant was sought and granted. Therefore, Fontaine has to face the music upon arrival at the airport irrespective of who he is. The same thing happens in America or anywhere else. Bottom line. What makes Dominica the exception to the rule? I thought you guys were intelligent guys but, it does not seem so.
ds, out of nowhere you appear talking crap!
Roosevelt is prime minister of Dominica right?
If you say that not even the prime minister is above the law, you are talking about Roosevelt Skerrit: are you not?
Well, if so, if you are correct, are you aware that Roosevelt Skerrit has placed himself above the law and the constitution; when he boast ” no damn law, or constitution can prevent him from doing what he wants in Dominica, and that is in reference to the question when he obtained his French Citizenship.
Remember his idiotic supporters clapped their hands, and shouted when that corrupted crook made that statement?
Do you remember that ds?
You are a puppet of Roosevelt Skerrit; a feces cleaner of that corrupted satanic man the devil himself Roosevelt Skerrit.
As a citizen of France, Roosevelt has long been an illegal prime minister in Dominica for all the years he held that position, he should be in jail!
I say, lock Thompson up and throw away the key. While you at it, throw in ugly Lenny in the cell with him to keep him company. Thompson need to spend a year in jail for every year he’s been on the run – a total of four years at her majesty’s pleasure, with hard labour.
Democracy has no voice in dominica that is sad. I remember when de man was just a teacher, teacher turner dictator. Even worse we thinking the man doing that for himself but the man just a pawn, a puppet, someone else have their hands manipulating his actions. Enablers making it happen thats all that happening here.
Circumstances bringing this about didn’t happen by coincidence. But actions have consequences. Unfortunately those will be for the kids coming up to face.
@Tt What Prime minister Skerrit, has to do with Thompson Fontaine, arrest it is the court that issued a warrant signed by a judge or magistrate for his arrest, in a matter of fact it is Thompson Fontaine, own doing no one else!!
I have stopped talking because we have talked enough. Surely the time has come for the next stage. We simply can’t go on like this. I mean, be serious, one little man making our lives a misery and all we do is talking? Let’s get rid of that poisonous thorn in our flesh once and for all!
What is the next stage? You might have an appointment with the hang man one day if you try any nonsense.
Takes more than a dip stick (DS) like you to deliver ME to the hang man. Watch out, trouble for YOU might just be around the corner. Buh!
ds these guys have no common sense that even when they are warned, they get disrespectful. This is why they do not look at facts and some just repeat what others say.
Their party should educate them in governance so they will understand laws, bye-laws, respect for authority, Civic matters; and how things work.
But it was they in the 1st instance who introduced ignoramus at the highest.
Those with a little education (mark you not being wise) see this as an opportunity to use those who thrive on rumors, love contention, and strife to keep them if they ever win an election.
But those now criticizing Government now will have their day when they realize that things are done in order and that there are various ministries and departments/divisions with their various heads responsible for certain aspects of relating to their dept. Those persons, as their leaders make them believe that governance is a 1 pot hold all. They must teach their followers that things are to be done in…
Beta, a scorpion always have poison, no matter what just like Skerrit can not help poking a finger in your eye, anyone’s eye, trust me. That is his character and can not be be changed.
Beta & others – A bench warrant has been issued for him.
What is a bench warrant – it is an order by the magistrate to pick you up whenever they see you(immediately) & take you to court (arrest until you are taken to court).
So please people – Jonathan, all the UWP people who like to mix matters, make everything political just to score points – educate your people so those things won’t happen to them. So-called intelligent people, you are but deceiving & misleading persons.
Please for the love of God, be truthful at all times for the truth is what sets people free. Not some make-up fantasy but actual issues. This is a nonissue why because he broke the law. If it was any other persons like all the ghetto boys when they get arrested when they come back door or otherwise, where are your mouths.
No one is above the law so let us in love, correct each other and not be a nuisance trying to secure political points.
Let the country run. Do things to score points until the next…
Why was the Thomson asked to attend court in the first place? That is the real issue here and the underlying one. Wasn’t the current speaker at the time before defecting, asked to attend court as well? All the others after over 4 years never heard anything again. Isn’t it true that it was another one of those famous bogus charges fabricated by yours truly? Do you think that Skerrit would leave it alone if he had only the smallest piece of evidence? Isn’t it true that the judicial system in DA is totally in Skerrits pocket? Not all is well in DA, believe me.
I have concluded without a doubt the nation is on the side of the King of Lies. It is not a matter no more of the people being afraid of the grenades, guns, and teargas etc. etc. It is a matter that the nation is on the side of Skerrit. His bribery and trickery have contaminated the minds, bodies and souls and therefore they have given full allegiance to this King of all lies. This incident was another opportunity for Dominicans who claim to be tired of this Skerrit rule to come out from all corners of Dominica and amass in the thousands and make their demands known. 200 policemen vs 10,000 demanding citizens into the night? I say again it is not a matter of fear, it is that the people are on his side. Who will they beg tomorrow? Thats how he has made them to be, beggars. They say beggars are no choosers but in Dominica they have chosen KING LIAR
A nou parle’ Sort whilst one is King of Lies, the other is one has no strategy and as such makes a lot of foolish decisions. This nonissue story is one of them as well as all the demonstrations, utterances, marches, walks are not showing the populace that this is a party ready to lead a country. You talk of bribery but the opposite shows a desperate people wanting to “overthrow” the duly elected government. I quote you “This incident was another opportunity for Dominicans who claim to be tired of this Skerrit rule to come out from all corners of Dominica and amass in the thousands and make their demands known. 200 policemen vs 10,000 demanding citizens into the night ..?” in Dominica they have chosen KING LIAR” Only pure desperation. Don’t make up people’s minds or put words in their mouths? The people voted. Do appropriately so they will vote for the UWP party. No plans just pure hatred, insurrection, foolishness. Time to introspect and not fool yourselves. No…
This is incontestable. The Roosevelt-DLP led administration is adverse to truth; has an affinity for torture; acts like a nocturnal creature; corrupts everything they engage in; has turned the country into a military state; has asphyxiated democracy, and the list goes on ad nauseam.
Dominicans, if you are not prepared to make any personal sacrifices the current situation will remain firmly intact. Wrestle control of the country from Roosevelt and put it back in your hands. We, the people, are the real BOSS(ES).
Stop all this garbage talk of yours and accept the truth. Fontaine is no different from the man on the street when it comes to the law.
Then Supreme leader is no different and should adhere to the will of the majority living in dominica.
Free and fair elections
Stop persecuting foes
If domjnica have 10 voters why 25 voting?
Voter ID
No importation of voters
No good time for vote.
Dat you hear oui!
What about Roosevelt Skerrit ds, is that low down black little corrupted wet back rat with all that wealth above the law?
Ask Roosevelt how he manage to get so wealthy, on a prime ministers pay in Dominica, one of the poorest country on the planet?
Dominica’s prime minister pay is the lowest in the Caribbean, wages in general is the lowest in the Caribbean, nevertheless we have a prime minister who boast after his first five years in office, that he was the richest prime minister in the Caribbean.
Corruption you that little weasel like, your conduct will soon destroy you mentally!
What we have there is a coterie of crazy lawyers trying to weasel their good friend out of this quagmire but, it won’t work. The law is the law. Gabu himself should know that a bench warrant or an arrest warrant might have been issued for his brother why he cannot return to America. Who knows? So, what makes Dominica different from America? Or why should Dominica be any different from America?
Eh bey zort sweff power! Ibo and all the others – UWP supporters.
Really Ibo – no strategy just foolishness and instigating strife and war. No strategy to win an election.
Ibo all of you worldly smart but actually no wisdom – the foolish things really confuse you the big-headed, prideful persons. People because of BA’s etc. or attending University thinks you know more than others. Poor those that you want to impose your smart intelligent??? ideas or do you want to control like what just recently happened? you all have no commonsense for fighting so foolishly – using those you think are ignorant, to gain your political points.
Elections are won by the ballot or by overthrow which is what you the elite want to do. But remember with no groundwork, no homework, no strategy your part cannot win an election. Stop the arrogance and be on the ground doing things so the people see your worth, not verbal diarrhea and demonstration (Big mouthers).
No strategy to win an election.
His lawyer said he could not account for him.
Why did he not attend court when he was asked to do so or even seek permission to leave the state? What if this was done to someone else? Would you guys stand for them too? I know of other instances when persons were arrested; I never heard from you guys.
I have nothing against Mr. Fontaine but all of you give me a valid reason for not arresting him? He knew he had to attend court at the specified date, why did you not advise him as I am sure all of you knew that he was going away.
I want none of you as friends and colleagues for you all are not respectful of the law, etc; as such would let me land in hot water just to speak politics against someone you are all obsessed with – Roosevelt Skerrit. To blame him for everything; to try and get into power for that is all you want.
Stop using people to try and achieve your dreams. Please start being more positive and look for better ways to oppose. You all are sootiwez!
Bro the charge itself is BS to begin with. When a man that is supposed to be a leader and an example in the country say that no law or constitution will stop him what respect of law you talking about? The “law” in Dominica is just a tool that those in power use to oppress their opponents. When it suits them they let their people get away with murder and when its convenient for them they want to bring every little BS charge against someone so that they can harass and intimidate them.
All the criminals that roaming the streets of Dominica and travelling all over the world, going and coming when they want no questions asked because they supporting the fake doctor dictator, the same questions you ask above ask them about those criminals too.
DNO, you stating what Lennox Linton, Dr. Dangleben and other prominent people had to say. What do you have to say?
Do you think this arrest is justified when Joseph ‘Judas’ Isaac was similarly charged and does not have to face this sort of persecution but was elevated to Speaker of Parliament? This clearly shows that these charges are bogus and intended to harass law abiding, peaceful citizens who are opposed to Roosevelt incompetent and diabolical leadership.
Your article lacks context, depth, and is mostly a repetition of previous commentaries. It is bland, pedestrian, meandering and repetitive. Too many -‘This say and that say’. A good grade 6 student could have done better.
The media should be objective and report the facts without bias. People should be able to make up their own minds. Better that they report the truth and details than doing like other media that put a bias spin on everything
Look, Dominica is small and every one knows where everybody saying. Now is time to take some people to school, especially night school so others will be well educated. George Theophile, Valerie and other officers who think they are bad should be taken to night school and be be taught by some good educators that badness is not only sold to the rich. Where are our teachers especially night school teachers? Is it that we have no more people that are ready to teach them? What about paying some volunteers to teach them ? Come on man education is the key to success and we can pay some teachers so they could go teach these guys in the night since they busy working in the day. In fact we could even arrange to teach them right in their house so all their families could participate. So let’s go teach them
Thomson don’t worry they are scared , they felt what was going to happen if they did not set you free tonight, they smell a rat . Seven O/clock was the dead line , anything after that would have been take what you ask for. Dominicans remember that date and time Monday the 4/25/2022. Nuff said.
Calling on those criminals in high places to release Dr. Thompson Fontaine immediately.
Criminals don’t release criminals, brother. It is only the judge and the correction officers.