Demonstrators gathered at the High Court in Roseau on Wednesday to protest an appearance in court by Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, MP for Roseau South, Joshua Francis and others.
Linton and Francis, along with UWP colleagues Nicholas George and Dr. Thomson Fontaine who’s currently out of state, were charged with obstruction of justice and incitement in relation to public disturbances which took place in Roseau in February 2017.
Francis,Linton and George pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Joseph Isaac, the former UWP MP for Roseau Central-turned DLP government minister, was also on the charge list but did not appear in court.
The police had also charged former prime minister and UWP political leader, Edison James with the same offence but according to our court source, James was not present as he had not been properly served.
Senior Counsel Israel Khan and two assistant lawyers were retained from Trinidad and along with the office of the DPP, are representing the DLP government in the matter.
Francis is being represented by Senior Counsel Justin Simon, and Gina Dyer and Henry Dyer. Linton, George, Fontaine and James are being represented by Gildon Richards, Ronald Charles and Julien Prevost.
The presiding magistrate adjourned the matter to March 28, 2019 with the deadline for disclosure being set as the last working day of December 2018.
During the court proceedings, the demonstrators, some of whom were shouting ‘Skerrit must go,’ were closely monitored by police some of whom were dressed in military fatigues and armed with high powered weapons.
The February 7th 2017 disturbances took place following a public meeting by the United Workers Party and others near the Financial Center in Roseau.
In its wake, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit accused the United Workers Party and the Dominica Freedom Party of attempting to overthrow his government.
The United Workers Party has distanced itself from the events saying they took place hours after the meeting had ended.
I call on the world community to look at Dominica and it’s corrupt and evil government. Arresting opposition leaders on false pretences. Dominica now is in the same league as Skerrits political friends: Russia, Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, Syria, etc. What about the citizens of Dominica?? Do you allow Skerrit to do this??? Remember, all you will be next if you choose to oppose Skerrit?? What about the other government ministers??? Are you gonna tolerate this injustice or are you gonna speak up against the dictator?? How about all you police officers??? Are you gonna tolerate this injustice against your fellow countrymen? You swore an oath to your country but you did not swear an oath to be miss-used by a tyrant!!!
How come cases against those corrupt minister cannot call and cases against the opposition calling so fast.
Dominicans are really unrighteous people…. Stay asleep because when you all are awakened it will be to late
When you plead not guilty, basically you’re saying the poor people children should take the fall for you then. You guys were all in the head of the protest creating chaos. You do the crime face your time. Take it like a true leader and not as a wimp … you wimp . You Workers followers, go and pay money in court for wicked politicians and then cry and say the country poor, send money for me to buy food to eat.
Issac
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These clowns of Skerrit will do everything to try to get rid of UWP and the leader Hon Linton. That Skerrit and his corrupt team are scared and unable to match Linton`s intellectual professionalism.
Skerrit has taken advantage of the office of the Prime Minister and elevated by default his stature to one of a dictator and illiterate Politician. He operates his politics from the gutter and not from the text books and curriculum that exits. Therefore all his associates are killing him softly because they know that he is not able to sand on his own with the class & intellectualism to that of the UWP Leader Hon Linton and his professional team waiting to enter office and return Domininca to some level of decency, honesty,, calmness and focus on development to erase the poverty that Skerrit and his failed corrupt Labour government has endured of our Dominican people. I am within the system and I see waste of time ministers, boom boom flies civil servants and a failed Skerrit. He must Go
How did Joseph Issac plead or did he disrespect the court by not showing up? I fell sorry for this guy.This is theater folks—-I think it is fair to say that Skerrit,, Blackmoore , Levi Peters and Carbon are by far the most hated people in Dominica…….But you may have your own list as well.
Only in Dominica can the newest Minister of Government be charged for obstruction and failed to show up in court to plead his case. A comedy show indeed. Instead of spending time and energy to fix the economy and put the thousands of jobless citizens, especially the youth, to work, the autocracy is spending scarce tax payers’ dollars on a wild goose chase. This administration reminds me of despotic regimes.
Did Thompson Fontaine show up in court to plead his case? Stop seeing on one side of your face. You act like the fish the elderly call the SAUL.
Complete bogus charges, wasting the court’s time and further diminishing the little financial resources of the State’s treasury. It’s so ironic and ridiculous that the newest member of this crackpot government will have to answer to these same charges. Can it get more comical? Every person with a modicum of common sense knows that these are politically trumped up charges that cannot stand the scrutiny test. While the country is in severe economic distress, the grossly incompetent bandits in government are scheming to win the next national elections by polical chicanery.
Joseph Isaac allowed himself to be charged when Dr. Thomson Fontaine is out of the country, and he did not show in court which can be justified because Fountain not appear? While on his dying bed, Frederick Douglass was asked what advice he would give to a young black American. “Agitate, agitate, agitate.”
And he also said:
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of many of its waters.”
“Show me a one who accepts slavery, and I will show you a slave.”
And I also will add, power is based entirely on the acceptability or rejection or the people over whom the very said power is exercised. So I say: “Agitate, agitate, agitate.”
But where in the world did Skerro must go get dat ‘Asian’ helmet for de police nah, in Back to the Future?
How repugnant is the DLP. If Skeritt claims that the UWP and Freedom Party tried to overthrow his government which is a serious accusation, why they were only charged with incitement? This is evident that this government is trying to suppress freedom of assembly and public protest which is permissible under the constitution. Since Skeritt has modelled his governing style after leaders like Chavez, Kaddafi, Castro, Maduro, and now communist China, it is not surprising that he would concort such a ploy.
God is in control SKERRIT AND YOU HAVE TAKEN DOMINICA TO THE LOWEST LEVEL.YOUR DAY WILL COME AND YOUR CORRUPT LEADERSHIP.GOD BE WITH YOU.
Having left DA over two & half decades and returned x5 including a short employment stint : I am in a position to evaluate politically ,economically socially. I grew up in the ( 70-80’s). In my time as Teddy Pendagrass sang I have seen and done a lot. From my days at 4 corners demonstration at SMA mid 70’s to Independence to the fall of authentic DLP to MND -DAVID to say it hurts and is shameful is being extremely mild. I have seen(in my time brothers return from studies in the UK,USA UWI etc who preached black power and liberation change from progressive to regressive to currently despotic , opportunists (with human faces) Some are economists lawyers /liars, doctors, add yours (Readers). Despite our poverty we had standards back in the day. Today, to say it’s a far cry would be trying to be nice. The so called nice people have demonstrated they are th biggest crooks and opportunists on island.
Why now? History will show that Lazy Skerrit was the worse prime minister Dominica ever had. No real development in the country after governing for 18 long years. Everyday I wake up is like waking up to a nightmare in Dominica. No hope and no promising future under this regime. Skerrit must go, Lazy Skerrit and his cabal must go.
Only under a dictatorship this thing happens. An entire opposition being charge. Corruption I tell you
This government must go!!!!!!!! Get dem out!!
DNO please do some serious Journalism and get a copy of the indictment please,,,
All you must be able to get that under some kinna Freedom of Information process,,,
Let people see how ridiculous these fellows are, they went all the way to Trinidad to get some Bloke???
And how is it the DLP is brining charges for a Public issue,,,
So who filed the Cause of Action???
But how comes “Looney” ooops I meant Tony Asstaphans wasn’t retained for that land Mark Spectacle, he loosing ranks man or he lost his Ranks,,,
C’mon DNO get to work allyou have all weekend and come back with a very Juicy Story for first thing Monday!!!
ADMIN: There is a controlled process to request these documents that takes time, and there is a possibility you may not be granted access to the files. Additionally, the file system seems to be all manual instead of computerized which further slows down access.
We need to sound the alarm to the OECS countries and the rest of the world how the opposition in Dominica is being arrested, taken to court , because when we take appropriate actions they will already be aware why were were defending ourselves.
This is not right for members of the opposition to be rounded up like that and dragged on court. This reminds me of the days of Idi Amin and Sadam. The oppressors should take note of how these men all ended up.
These strategies from the Venezuelan dictator’s hand book has one and only one dividend for the people, and that’s more poverty. The oppression, abuse of power, intimidation of the people and trying to muzzle the opposition are all part and parcel of a dictator’s guide to stay in power. Fortunately, it’s never forever, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to save their nation from continued local and international embarrassment by these corrupt leaders.
How is it You push for charges against those You say want to overthrow You but shortly afterwards arranges for one of them to jump the aisle so you can score political points You make Him a Minister but Your Lawyers are shocked when they find out
That is going to go down really well in both Courts especially the Court of Public Opinion
Sack way Sott!
Smart You think You so smart You cutting Your nose to spite Your face!
Why all this my people? Why this army fatigue and machine guns all about in front of our court? Are we in Iraq or North Korea? Boy last week we were threatened by hurricane / storm Isaac, to the poit that Skerrit called on us to pray to our God and, less than a week after we were spared that’s our way of giving thanks? Boy let me pray for DA just as Jesus prayed in Matthew 17:9 ” I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine” (John 17:9)
My prayer: Lord I pray your peace, protection and blessing over all those that want to, and seek your peace and blessing on Dominica. But Lord, for all those Evil men and women that are destroying our country, I PRAY NOT for them. I do pray that the fire of hell burn every single one of them. Make their days very very dark, and let those that are plotting evil against God fairing people fall in utter darkness. Let them destroy themselves and fight against themselves, until their evil day comes whoever they are
The witch hunt is on. Where will it stop? When, if ever, will the people that actually commit crimes go to jail?
According to PM Skerrit “Go to Hell, go to hell, go to hell.” To hell with Dominica. I am tired of this nonsense of Skerrit, Tony, Alix boyd knight, Blackmoore, Carbon and the others. They have made Dominica HELL on Earth and may the curse of God be your friends. I living all you for hurricanes and storms to deal with all you
Boy Dominicans are jokers you know. Skerrit brought down a senior counsel from Trinidad and two other foreigners to come and help him harass us in Dominica eh. But didn’t they land at the Marigot Airport and drove down to Roseau? It’s time we arrange a meeting with these guys to discuss matters of national interest man. We need to meet the speaker, Tony and others so they could all answer our questions. No, I am not suggesting we disturb them is public because we know they are all very busy. But we need to schedule to meet with them somewhere away from the public, so they could feel free to discuss issues with us that they might not feel comfortable answering in public. It is time we let people respect us and understand we are not stupid and are well capable of questioning them one by one or collectively, whichever way they feel more comfortable with. It’s time man
For the country to overcome the present economic morass , there must be unity. These trumped up charges are designed for political advantageousness and cause political division. It is much easier to control and run rough shod over a divided people. The entire Caribbean and the rest of the world poured scorn and ridicule on Skerrit for his false and malicious accusation (coup d’état) against specific members of the opposition. All these bogus charges are done to tarnish and diminish the opposition candidates. This man will stop at nothing to win the next election. He sees his chances of retaining power slipping. Desperate people do desperate things. They would lie, cheat, intimidate, entrap, abuse their power to stay in power. This is precisely what Skerrit is doing. Spank him with your votes at the polls.
the police needs to be careful. remember VENEZUELLA
Tony should be very upset at Skeritt for bypassing him, in favor of lawyers from Trinidad. The time has come when Skeritt should have some serious therapy sessions with Dr. Bengamin. If they were to be found guilty, is he going to fire Issac as a Minister of Government.
Issac did not show up. So why linton them wasting thiere time and helping skrerrit waste tax payers money? Let skerrit keep it up. The longer he stay thier doing crap the more crap he pile up on himself when the day of reckoning arrives. That Jack A of a prime minister will pay dearly one day. For the deplorable state to which Dominica has descended. Dominicans set the bar sub zero dor what it means to be the leader of a country. I know some of you are trying but staying silence will not help so its better to sacrifice the litle you might loss thand to loose the entire country to an egomaniac. Criminals killing people bright day, police commisioner accused of sexual harrasment, people not showi g up to court, welfare not doing its job. Trump said people xome from …. hole countries but DA is skerrit septic tank. Sick place.
You cannot call 10 people a protest
Stop letting the English language be your enemy !
One person can stage a protest. Don’t be an idiot
Good morning Jheri Curl. One person can be a protest. Remember Colin the american football player.
There are instances of one-man protest around the world. One person, by his /her persistent protest, can stir a nation’s conscience against the State for its injustices, corrupt practices and persecution of its people. Sir, you are totally uninformed and unenlightened. Educate yourself before you make such an asinine statement.
We all should be looking at this development with a different set of lens, the independence of the judiciary will determine if Dominica is in a stable state or not. Long serving Gov’ts, tend to control all aspects of governance, where the courts , police and other institutions listen to only one voice, the Prime Minister’. Dominica, has had her share of Caribbean political DESPOTS and johnny come lately leaders, the saturation of DLP politics , might very well undermine the outcome . Dominicans on the Island are living in fear of continuous Natural upheavals , the ANIMA in the majority of the people both at home and abroad, have left us losing our SPIRITUALITY.
@%, Skerrit will be gone before the elections ; mark my words. It’s just a matter of time. Ask Trump
Thought that thing was dead but it seems as if Skerrit, knowing his time is near, he doesn’t want to go without seeing blood shed for him? Anyways nough said so lets take some inspiration from the bible, since we are a bible believing people.
Rev. 12:11 The passion Translation “They conquered him completely through the blood of the Lamb
and the powerful word of his testimony. {Here is the part I really love) “They triumphed because they did not love and cling to their own lives, even when faced with death.”
Acts 21:13 The Passion Translation -But Paul replied, “Why do you cry and break my heart with your tears? Don’t you know that I’m prepared not only to be imprisoned but to die also…?
Phillipians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”
Exhortation: The above scriptures are saying we MUST be prepared to die for what we believe. Rev. Martin Luther did it and today we as black people celebrate his life
Dominica is in a really sad state now, literally very sad state of affairs. Why would one have parliament to fast track a controversial bill while opposition members are summoned to court?. This is reminiscent of what is happening in Venezuela. The higher one goes the harder the fall, just be reminded that it doesn’t matter how much you try one day you are going to fall. You can hire all the elements to make you look pretty; while demonizing and abusing the opposition. You are going to fall. We all desire a just society where both government and opposition thrive. That is what democracy is about.
This is what we call “rule of law;” one of the pillars of any democratic state. After all, it is precisely what Lennox Linton, Athie, et al frequently ask for. No? So, why the bellyaching now?
Stop your silly peeping and open your both eyes to see and feel the bool and corruption and illiterate politicians of Labour Party who run our country down and sad we the civil servants and the poor are suffering from this massive corrupt practices and fake promises from failed Skerrit and corrupt labour government. hey ust Go. Skerrit Go always, got to NY , \Go to China, Go Venezuelan, all these countries have bobol corrupt actions taking pace. you are a failed leader Skerrit, your have failed us and we need to know of the Bin Bobol and who pocket the money? Go get tony that Astaphan to advise you, seem to date he is not dong a good job.
Gt Lost Skerrit…get Lost, you are the biggest failure.
“In its wake, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit accused the United Workers Party and the Dominica Freedom Party of attempting to overthrow his governmen”.
The above is what Skerrit thought he deserved back then. A year plus later, we should let it begin today and give him his hearts desire .
Boy oh boy, where are the people who are demonstrating. After such big exposure on Q that’s all the people! Just friends and family. The piper played now pay ? $. The leadership of the opposition is a real controversial person, who has no moral standards. Can’t you see the writing ✍️ people are rejecting you.
So you’re expecting people,to leave their jobs to go, well well, well…
Open fire on of them stupid @55 that there Skerrit must go. Where he going. He have place to go. Skerrit not moving unless he READYYYYYY.
I will keep calling Skerrit an idiot until ……..Does he know what a coup is? He needs to be questioned under oath about this stalled truck coup.
What an inveterate liar!!!!!
I can never support a party led by Skerrit!!!!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
I am afraid that these charges may be used to secure convictions of opposition members in the knowledge that such judgement would disqualify said members from standing as candidates of parliament. To paraphrase the Speaker of the House, I do not want to impugn the ruling party of improper motives and I hope my unease is without foundation.
Nevertheless, such convictions could cause history to repeat itself; let’s not forget 1979, that should be a reminder!
It does not take much for a riot to break out, perhaps that is what is needed to weed out the evil people in Dominica politics. When Isaac was expected to follow in the tracks of Maria, some hypocrites talked about prayer, and suggest people forget about politics, and unite.
That was last week: the dust raised by the remnants of Isaac has not yet settled, nor the water produced by falling rain has yet receded; nevertheless, the frivolous prosecution of the opposition continues: There is no rest for the wicked, and the evil one man government, and the goons in military fatigue who up-hold him in power.
Dominica, no longer has a normal police force, it has become a military state ruled by a Military Junta; (a dictator).
This is a good day for a people uprising, which should not cease until the dictator falls!
“No justice; No peace!”
Francisco…
Is Joseph Isaac making a court appearance too? If not, this is a KANGAROO Court and really starts the beginning of the end for Skerrit.
Skerrit is losing the election,so he is dead scared!!!!!This Isaac is in the bosom of the DLP liars! Skerrit is really an idiot and simpleton to accuse the Patriots of attempting to overthrow his government.Didn’t the Caricom investigators laughed at the buffoon,and tell him that there was no coup?How much did he pay them,?Hope one day he is forced to return this money to the treasury.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
Alibaba and his forty thieves must stop provoking the opposition politicians and their supporters! They must stop provoking Dominicans! One of those days the police and their guns will not be able to handle the wrath of the anger of Dominicans!! Why wasnt the charge read to Joseph Isaac as well wasnt he one of those arrested? And why today? Is there something that the boy prime minister and his cabal afraid of? Are they running scared because they see the support for the opposition is growing by leaps and bounds? Their days are numbered!!!
And why the empty headed commissioner keep embarrassing his men? Propping them up with heavy machine guns that they cannot carry far less use. They couldnt protect Roseau from the weeks of looting and breaking and entering after Maria but every minute they in people face with their guns. Lord Help Us!
So wat about Isaac? Why he not arrested too?
Skerritt’s trial date will come as sure as the sun rises in the morning. He brought in a Caricom investigator who wrote a report on the situation and the country doesn’t have a clue what’s in that report. Skerritt, the evil that men di will haunt them, my twist on Shakespear
What about the dumb laborites that protected and kept him in power? Is not one man alone that forming the entity known and Labor party
This means that Skerrit and his MISLEADERS are running scared…They are losing the election. More votes for all UWP candidates.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy be Skerrit Must Go Now
What is Joseph Issac saying?. Has he been brought to court,?
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
Before that up coming election you,%, oblijay tofay! Wicked special breed liar.
Yes Skerrit must go on to keep you TRAOTORS out of government.
Skerrit must go but the NOVICE CAN NOT COME IN.
Wasn’t Skerrit a novice before he became prime minister? You people really need to stop using words that you all don’t understand. Everybody has to start somewhere.
This intimidation of opposition politicians has to stop. It’s time to take to the streets and force this dictator to go!
Every protest Skerrit trying to intimidate people..aren’t those the Chinese ambulances ?..hmmm..
Anyhow more and more Dominicans can see the mal intentions of this Gov’t because more are feeling the squeeze more and more..
Black Politicians need to put it through their thick skulls that Kingdoms rise and fall but none last forever. Your day of reckoning soon come.