Claudius Sanford released, charged with obstruction

Sanford carried by supporters after his release

Former Deputy Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) was released on Wednesday afternoon after he was charged with obstruction.

He was taken into custody on Wednesday morning as the police investigate disturbances and violence in Roseau on the night of February 7.

He is expected to appear in court in April for trial.

He is the second high-profile member of the UWP to be questioned by the police in the matter.

Thomson Fontaine was arrested last Sunday but released without charge.

 

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71 Comments

  1. Just looking
    February 16, 2017

    I hope after the charges are drop for want of prosecution, the persons acting on behalf of the state and the state are sued for character assassination and public embarrassment

  2. The Eel
    February 16, 2017

    LOOK IT LOOK IT. All law breakers must be arrested. It’s up to the magistrate to reprimand them

  3. Jackson
    February 16, 2017

    Am Mad at the police. Why make Sam, Thompson and sanford think they important? those guys are small fish. leave those guys alone.

  4. John Jules
    February 16, 2017

    Yes, all of them need to be arrested and held for questioning. They incited the people to go against the law. If you incite people to transgress against the law then you’re an instigator point blank. After D DAY Ichanged my vote to Labour. ONCE YOU DESTROY LOCAL BUSINESS , YOU LOOSE MY VOTE.

    • %
      February 16, 2017

      You seem to have good information..You should report it to the police,especially pertaining to the OVERTHROW.The blatant LIE from the pit of hell.

  5. Unknown
    February 16, 2017

    Yuteman what Rip about? Da dead?

  6. jerry sinclair
    February 16, 2017

    3 am knock on the door, extrordinary this places the arrested at a disadvantage, in the UK the person would be warned on the spot “move along” or you are liable to arrest for obstruction In Dominica it appears to work in a an inverted maaner let them obstruct we will arrest them later, and an interview UK would be a 4 houir Maximum. not for certain a 3 am knock on the door.
    The UK guidlines for the Police state that do not waste court time on trivialities, this appears to be a case of the Police wasting Police time. the arrested should have been warned on the spot that is the duty of the police

  7. Matt Sam
    February 16, 2017

    Don’t be deterred Police, do your work. Arrest them, charge them, put them before the court.

  8. The Truth Be Told - Original
    February 16, 2017

    As one incident occurs, the Police must deal with it immediately. This is the latest one.
    Yes, the world is reading about it. The world has sensible people. UWP supporters make themselves look as haters and foolish people in the eyes of the world; also idle ones.
    The world is not ignorant. It is known and expected if people disobey and obstruct the Police, they will be arrested and charged. The police is not criticized and insulted for performing their duty. Only in Dominica this appears to occur by the UWP supporters. They appear not to have any sense to know the difference between right from wrong. Silly people and troublemakers.
    On Tuesday, February 7th, the Police should have confiscated the truck It could have contained, hidden dangerous weapons.
    Those who think it is a joke and/or Dominicans are jokers, the joke is on UWP and their supporters who act as immature adults and youths. They exalt those who do evil.

  9. LaPlaine Observer
    February 15, 2017

    This is a manufactured charge. SKERRIT MUST GO!

  10. Doc. Love
    February 15, 2017

    Skeritt, wants the people of Dominica to believe that the international press and organizations reporting or commenting on the many leadership mistakes he has made in terms of the disaster presently facing Dominica, are influenced by Mr. Lennox Linton. If Linton has all that influence over CBS news, Gregory Copley of Defense and Foreign Affairs in the US, Kenneth Rijock, a Compliance Officer specializing in Due Diligence, Dr. Gabriel Christian, an attorney practicing in Washington, and locally, Dr. Sam Christian, a medical doctor, Dr. Thompson Fontaine, a one time economist at the IMF, an Attorney and economist, Joshua Francis, and loved by over twenty thousand Dominicans, he deserved to be Prime Minister. Do you know what is really funny and maybe regretful to Skeritt, he asked him to come into the political ring. Wasn’t it the same Skeritt who once said Lennox Linton was not known internationally, I wondered, what is he saying now.

    • Punjab
      February 16, 2017

      He pushes himself unto people even if they dont like him. His first encounter with the outside world is negative publicity for Dominica. What a Shame Linton!!

  11. TRUMP
    February 15, 2017

    Lennox Linton was born in marigot an not paramaribo Suriname .who thecap fits wear it.

  12. TRUMP
    February 15, 2017

    Stop harrasing the people provocation is against the law remember what goes around comes around.

  13. February 15, 2017

    Keep arresting! Makes us stronger.
    A people united, can never be divided.

    Messing with justice is like trying to stop a landslide…

  14. Traveller
    February 15, 2017

    This world is not our home for we’re just passing through. Let us not lose our soul for mere man. God is not sleeping. Many of us fail to be humble and so it brings our downfall. Revenge belongs to the Lord. Peace brothers and sisters.

  15. SN
    February 15, 2017

    Isn’t it strange an arrest for obstruction is made after the event which is seen as obstruction? Shouldn’t the arrest have occurred immediately? Are our officers unable to recognize obstruction when they see it and have to get instructions from the government?

    • Punjab
      February 16, 2017

      You can imaging if Police had started arresting people on the spot? It would have been war…The police used their heads, they did a surperb job.

  16. Fairness for all
    February 15, 2017

    Excellent photos. Truly captured the emotion of the moment.

  17. i looking i looking
    February 15, 2017

    Hey teacher no sweat, don’t fret let them charge you, we will pay! I’m ready to pull out my check book for you anytime. They can’t keep a good man down. They can’t hold you down, they can’t take you out, they can only talk with their mout!!! don’t be intimidated.

  18. uk Dominican
    February 15, 2017

    skerritt and his handicap ministers must go and will go

  19. The only way he could be charged with obstruction is if he obstructed the police in the performance of their duty!

    Assuming that the police was in the process of arresting someone, and he interfered by even saying give the person being arrested a “brake” then he could also be charged with obstruction.

    If he hid evidence from the police in order to protect a criminal, that too would be obstruction

    All Skerrit and his puppet Carbon is doing is trying to trumped up issues and charges in order to keep their foolish supporters happy. In the event he obstructed the police on the day of the riot, they should have arrested him on that day!

    This case is simply another example of desperation, and harassment! They will not rest from the corrupt ways, and victimization of the opposition, and people who do not support Skerrit, until the day Dominica implodes; there is a pending implosion! This is another frivolous case!

  20. %
    February 15, 2017

    POLITICAL HARRASSMENT….All efforts must be made to spread the word to the world..Caricom,WashingtonPost,CBS,ALGAZEERA,CNN,BBC,,,etc!!!

    • indira Ghandi
      February 15, 2017

      For sure

    • FREDA
      February 15, 2017

      God grant me the SERENITY
      to accept thins I cannot change
      courage to change the things I can
      and wisdom to know the difference

      Living one day at a time
      enjoying one moment at a time
      accepting hardships as the pathway to peace

  21. yuteman
    February 15, 2017

    I guess carnival time when the truck stall around a corner and one person on the truck making noise he wil be arrested and charged to with obstruction lol….look jokes in a country r.i.p dca

    • Eidolon
      February 16, 2017

      He will not be charged with obstruction but with trying to overthrow the Government!!!

  22. Observing
    February 15, 2017

    I am so disappointed with Skerrit. He had me telling my friends that the police has to pick up the top boys of the UWP/DFP, one by one. I mean, where is the intelligence that told Skerrit about UWP-DFP plans of the alleged coup? Are the people, who provided the ironclad intelligence that Skerrit had so brazenly and convincingly come on National radio to announce it, hiding; are they afraid now to talk? I mean by now I expected some arrest; not in for questioning and released on unrelated to overthrowing the gov’t charges. That’s is absolutely ridiculous, embarrassing to the DLP and the Police and wow, I am throwing in the towel.. I give up…I am switching sides…..my heart cannot take more of Skerrit and the police state he wants to create in Dominica.

    • Ibo France
      February 15, 2017

      The main function of the Police Force is NOT to solve crimes but to obediently carry out the machinations of the government. These arrests are just diversionary tactics and sadly they seem to be working. The Diplomatic Passport Scandal has taken a backseat to the arrest of prominent members of the Opposition. It’s really sad when the Security Forces are used to arrest opposition leaders on frivolous and false charges for the sole purpose to intimidate. When a government has to use these draconian tactics, it’s time for them to vacate office. Self preservation is paramount, the well being of the people is secondary.

  23. DON
    February 15, 2017

    BLUF: (Bottom Line Up Front)
    I went to DGS & I remembered getting a big yellow report card(BOOK) in there it listed from term to term and year to year my progress or lack there of. So Here is a report card and you tell me who it belongs to:
    1. The Infrastructure is at the worst it has been in over 40 years
    2. Management skills below standards and is evident in the departure of cruise ships from port-call to the island
    3. Trust worthiness is non existent-& evident in lack of transparency and the people in close contact with
    4. Leadership qualities is indicative of “the age of kings” the ruler don’t care what the people have to say and dissent is met by arrest and incarceration.
    5. More and more produce is imported than what is produced on the island with such fertile soil.
    6. The levels of government employees far outweigh the rest of the working-class citizens who show support for their master even in the face of irrefutable facts.
    6. Has no clue of the peoples pulse
    YR…

    • NUWP
      February 15, 2017

      Dat is y u didn’t learn at school. U must make copel teach u how to learn behind black board.

    • Truth Knowledge
      February 15, 2017

      Pray tell us DON, do you cultivate any of this fertile soil? If so, what exactly do you produce, and how much, to assist in reducing the increasing imports that you refer to?

  24. February 15, 2017

    ok, make him pay also

  25. Yinka
    February 15, 2017

    If ignorance was horses….all Dominicans would be riding…

    • FREDA
      February 15, 2017

      very funny

  26. February 15, 2017

    missy

    what they expect

  27. February 15, 2017

    bondire so dominica come there nah. but where i be there nah haiti man.

  28. Yellow Girl
    February 15, 2017

    Sanford,
    We need to talk. Skerrit must go!!!

  29. February 15, 2017

    that’s the way heroes are made and born. skerrit are thrusting you all into greatness

    • My 2 cents
      February 16, 2017

      For just you few bums, Paris and drug dealers. Not the masses.

  30. Zulu
    February 15, 2017

    Do ur job officer.

  31. Jah
    February 15, 2017

    Go down to town people, go down to Roseau; if you’re listening to me from overseas, get your family members to Roseau,” Linton urged supporters.
    Opposition Leader called on supporters to show their concern by going to the Police Station, is this guy not thinking, or is he crazy? By calling people to police headquarters, he is asking for trouble once again just on the hills of what happened last week . Is Linton that foolish?

    • Kusbi
      February 15, 2017

      Are yes he is :?:

    • FED UP
      February 15, 2017

      So when they advised their members to go to town in red on the day of the protest it was ok? One day Dominicans will get fed up with Skerrit’s harassment and they will act. He had to go. HE MUST GO.

    • John Paul
      February 15, 2017

      What did Charles Savarin do? Is He foolish ?

    • Eidolon
      February 16, 2017

      No but you are

    • Moii
      February 16, 2017

      And your immediate assumption is that “go by police headquarters” means go there and cause trouble. Lol.

      What about Lennox Lawrence – “we will use drones to find them in Marigot, in Salisbury …:?

      What about Skerrit -“when you see them on a plane, at a funeral etc. call them traitors”?

      C’mon boss. Really????

    • reginalddd
      February 16, 2017

      the word is heels. the back bottom part of your foot. not hills.

    • dayandnight vision
      February 16, 2017

      OF COURSE he IS

  32. Paul
    February 15, 2017

    Thanks to all the supporters who showed up at Police headquarters today. I want to say that it is these seemingly small actions that lead to the grand victory . Sanford I am very upset that you had to be harassed in that way , but happy that you were released.
    The pressure on Skerrit to go will continue.

    • The Fate of Mankind
      February 20, 2017

      yes but he is still charged. Because he is not in jhail still doesnt mean he wont go to court. People think once you not in jail you are fine and free.

  33. sensation
    February 15, 2017

    They need to send some police officers to Trinidad and Jamaica even St. Lucia. They have no work to do. Let them get some real work and do some real crime fighting.

    • Real recognize Real
      February 15, 2017

      That is to show u how Dominica sweet no crime.
      At the damn port for allu to go n protest for the cost of custom duty to go down wii, so the country can be even sweeter.

  34. sassie
    February 15, 2017

    who else are they going to charge? it is becoming a joke now. it is not showing who is boss, it is showing that the country is filled with jokers, puppets, puppet masters. Only time will tell. I am for neither side. I am just watching from the sidelines. It’s amusing and entertaining.

  35. Tj
    February 15, 2017

    Claudius you will be vindicated

  36. Read People READ
    February 15, 2017

    Obstruction of WHAT, precisely? Arrest? Street? Traffic????? And with all the videos around why is it only Leadership being picked up at insane times in the AM??

    I’ve heard about distraction and politically-motivated harassment, but I mean come on! All this but they police nor press could not have mentioned ONE thing about an international mega-criminal in our midst.

    Was Ali Reza Monfared ever brought in for questioning? Were any of the passport agents brought in to determine if they are following all of the so-called STELLAR due diligence.

    You guys are worse than the slave masters that preceeded you! And somehow you expect a nation to thrive admist all this.

    We want a Commission of Inquiry into our CBI program!
    We want a list of ALL diplomatic passport holders!
    We want a list of ALL passport agents!
    We want an investigation into the PM’s “intelligence” of a coup!

  37. James
    February 15, 2017

    It would be great if the police investigatd the members of parliament and cabinet involved with sexual abuse last year as quickly as these disturbances. Real crime needs to be solved and real criminals brought to justice.

  38. Channel 1
    February 15, 2017

    DNO, can your investigative journalists find out whether the unarmed DUMP TRUCK – that was supposed to have started the alleged overthrow of Roosevelt – has been brought in for questioning as yet.

    After all, they can always tow the Dump Truck into the police vehicle garage and question the Dump Truck there.

    • bron
      February 15, 2017

      lol

    • Eidolon
      February 16, 2017

      You made me laugh out loud, thanks for that.

    • Willie
      February 16, 2017

      Not to question the truck, but as evidence for procecution of the coup attempt!

    • Moii
      February 16, 2017

      :mrgreen:

  39. February 15, 2017

    So the 30minutes speech by Skerrit accusing the leadership of UWP and DFP of attempting to overthrow his government with a stalled music truck is now OBSTRUCTION!!!That’s why when I first heard this nonsense, I described it as a blatant LIE from the pit of hell..IN THE MEANTIME WE SHALL not be muzzled..We are continuing to tslk about MONFARED!

    • indira Ghandi
      February 15, 2017

      You know,i am beginning to see the words of that lady——- come to pass.
      She said to me that that P Mhas to bring his own destruction unto himself.
      it is coming to pass.
      mark you,she was a woman who feared the Lord.

  40. February 15, 2017

    Skerrit must gooooooooooop

    • FREDA
      February 15, 2017

      and the diaspora will stay

  41. TORKSPEC
    February 15, 2017

    cant stop the movement ::::

  42. jerry sinclair
    February 15, 2017

    What a farce one can see that the Police have a duty to perform but it is a little top heavy to say the least 3am knock on the door only released after many hours my God one can not say it is a police state but they are hogtied by Skerrit of that there is no doubt how many more are to be arrested that is the question will it be evrery single person who turned upat the rally the way it appears to going is indicitive of that, I agree calmness is good but opression is not good at all.

  43. zandoli
    February 15, 2017

    One must assume all the serious crimes have been solved in DA.

    • February 15, 2017

      Except government corruption

    • Eidolon
      February 16, 2017

      They are solved before they have been committed, that is how good the police is.

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