UPDATE: Linton, Francis, George charged with obstruction

(l-r)Linton, Francis, & George are the latest targets of police action after the Feb 7 meeting

The police have charged three more members of the United Workers Party (UWP) with “obstruction” dating back to the February 7, 2017 public meeting organized by opposition parties to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

Opposition Leader and leader of the UWP, Lennox Linton,  Roseau South MP Joshua Francis and UWP PRO, former superintendent of police, Nicholas George, all revealed to the media on Friday August 4, 2017, that they had been served with summonses to appear in court for “willfully obstructing police in the execution of their duty.”

These charges represent the latest police action in response to acts of violence and vandalism which took place in Roseau after the public meeting on the night of February 7, 2017. following a public meeting organized by opposition parties calling for the resignation of Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.

Francis, the police say, obstructed them from having a truck move west, away from the Financial Centre after the meeting.

The matter was filed 3 days short of the six months limitation according to law.

Former UWP political leader Claudius Sanford was arrested several days after the incident, held for 10 hours and charged with suspicion of obstruction. Two other prominent members of the UWP, Joseph Isaac and Dr. Thompson Fontaine as well as General Secretary of the Dominica Freedom Party, Johnson Boston, were also taken into police custody. However, they have not been charged.

The United Workers Party (UWP) has characterized the arrests as the ‘political persecution’ of its political leaders while Boston has accused the government of using the police action to suppress democracy.

The Joshua Francis matter is set for September 25, 2017

Below is the summons sent to Francis.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

75 Comments

  1. The one and Only
    March 9, 2018

    Good….music to my ears

  2. Mr. Ben Dover
    August 8, 2017

    Nonsense. that is children business now. complete nonsense.

  3. August 8, 2017

    If it was someone else, you all would want them to face the full extent of the law. Stop the hypocrisy!

  4. Me
    August 8, 2017

    I’ve heard of foreplay and high noon but what the blazes is forenoon. A conjugation of foreplay in the hig-noon corral in the afternoon perhaps?

  5. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    August 7, 2017

    Be obedient! Some of you also lack discipline and respect. The meeting was held. They knew the time to end it. The police informed them to end the meeting. They refused. They wanted to take the truck to the Financial Center against the police orders.
    Is this not obstruction of the Police Force?
    Do you not realize that? Try instructing your child to do something and that child refuses. What would you not do or try to do about the child’s disobedience? Similarly to an employee.
    They obstructed the Police from performing their duty.
    I am certain the police had much work to do on this matter prior to laying charges. The time is right to lay the charges.
    If I am somewhere I should not be and the police tells me to move on, I will not hesitate to move on. I will not question the police.
    I would also not encourage anyone to disobey the Police. Some of you have much to learn. Or are you making those comments because you are, as usual a UWP supporter?

  6. jihan
    August 7, 2017

    Dominica needs payers,please obstrution for what,look @ this tragedy,wake up you people,the country is doomed.

  7. Eyes Wide Open
    August 7, 2017

    My people keep your eyes and ears open. People of Marigot and environs, demand answers concerning the allegations about Learjet 35, N96GS arriving at our airport at odd hours. Something tells me that they might be bringing in their army one by one. The ammunition arrived already, now bring in the men. They know that they do not have enough men on the ground. People!, keep your eyes open! They may be walking around in our communities, looking like “just another Haitian” or “just another Spanish”, but you never know. LOOk OUT!!!!!!!!!

  8. Justice,Peace &Righteousness
    August 6, 2017

    We shall overcome! Time will be just to us.

    • True Politics
      August 7, 2017

      It shall pass when lennox is convicted and sentenced.

  9. Justice,Peace &Righteousness
    August 6, 2017

    We shall overcome!

  10. Like Tonton Macoute or Mongoose Gang?
    August 6, 2017

    A police officer said, some years ago that he threw a paper bag, away and did not know what was in it, just to find out that thousands of dollars were found in that same bag after. it was revealed that the mony was stolen by that officer, while stationed in a certain village.

    He was so guilty and caught RED-HANDED, that he went to pay the money back to the Treasury. The authorities did not charge him. No case was filed.

    that same police officer has since been promoted twice. He was promoted to AG. Superintendent of Police, just recently.

    That same police Officer frequently calls the radio station and openly, publicly expresses his partisan position, in support of Skerritt’s ruling DLP_ Cabal. remember he is doing so illegally as a Police officer/Public servant against the laws. the authorities continue to allow him to do that nonsense.

    But it is the Law-abiding citizens that the Police, aided and abetted and influenced by arrogant politicians, that are being…

    • FEAR NO MORE
      August 6, 2017

      harassed and victimized. How long? Not Long.

  11. Han
    August 6, 2017

    High noon clowns- that is what the Police and government officials-meant people- who are doing that
    can be described as. I think they are miscalcuating that Dominica is not Venezuela.

  12. Man bites Dogs
    August 6, 2017

    Man bites Dogs, Say hang em high just like the British did to the Pirates and traitors to the country, having said that i will not be saying anything more till after the hanging.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      August 6, 2017

      “hang em high ‘

      Do you mean ”hang them high” fool?

      You are already hanging high you know; the problem is you do not know you are already suspended with the rope around your neck tightening slowly shortly to snap your neck!

      Only an idiot would write something so stupid; where in the English language, or any other linguistics such vocabulary are found?

      Have a nice day Mr. Fool, Dr. Punjab learned shallow water brain student, you are an idiot who understands only what you develop in your feeble retarded mind.

      Let your professor, Sir Knight Dr. Punjab Indian doctor of nothing Carpaud Mentality explain that to you!

  13. %
    August 6, 2017

    Well, Well, Well….
    From stalled truck coup, to obstruction.
    After the result of the Investigation by the CARICOM INVESTIGATORS, and the lie is proven, I am hoping that legal action will be taken.
    I am hearing of a Learjet 35, N96GS arriving at our airport at odd hours. Do we have a Minister of National Security? Do we have a police force serving Dominica? Does the DLP own the police force? What could this aircraft be carrying? How many flights have been made before this exposure? Why corrupt countries cant come clean with the citizenry? Let me again compliment LLL Leader Lennox Linton patriot #1, for the responsible opposition that he has been giving the state. KEEP IT UP PATRIOT LINTON.
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

    • August 7, 2017

      Is the PM setting up Dominicans and Dominica like Venezuela and Venezuelans if that’s what about to happen we are in bigger problems than expected and it’s time we put parties on hold and consider the Island and all the strange things that are going on.
      We have a PM that is obsess with power and now he is developing the TRUMP ridiculous behavior that have landed him in more trouble than ever..

  14. Jonathan St jean
    August 6, 2017

    We are made to believe that it’s only when Lennox Linton puts things which are happening in Dominica out there,then that’s when the world knows and Dominica gets a bad name as a result.Well Skerritt, Francine Baron, Blackmore and Carbon,I’ve got news for you guys.The world might not care much about everything that happens in Dominica,but it knows, because of the internet and social media.This one sided attempt of selective political injustice,using the police to attempt to subjugate the voice of opposition,is wrong.Recently a member of the government’s side brandished a gun in parliament,which is against the law,and nothing has been done about that.I know that those who received summons,will defend themselves well, however the police will receive a demotion in the view of the public and the world when the charges are dismissed.This will further make Skerritt appear delusional and dictatorial,and Carbon will be seen as head of the mongoose squad.History is repeating itself

  15. Helas!
    August 6, 2017

    I am surprised that the commissioner of Police stoops so low, Man you are supposed to be the real power in Dominica stop thinking so small.

    You are or should be the ultimate defender of our country and its institutions and you also have to remember, you may feel good today and the next but ultimately when the history slant is written where will you be in the same bracket as Maduro?

    Also stop others from using young upcoming respectable police officers names in your politics and use names like cleville , cuffy, david, paul, etc

    please leave some respectability for later. i implore you!!!!!!!!!

  16. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    August 5, 2017

    Continue:

    There was a skirmish a few months ago, Roosevelt brought CARICO hound dogs into the country with the hope the opposition would be blamed for the skirmish; they found no one to blame for the incident. Low and behold, Skerrit and his cabal must create some controversies by finding Lennox Linton responsible, and so he of all persons must be charged for a crime of obstruction, which is a low level misdemeanor.

    They could not allow the statute of limitation to run out; for if they did there would be some peace in the country!

    How sick are Dominica police, and the rest of the judiciary, all puppets of Roosevelt Skerrit?

  17. Channel 1
    August 5, 2017

    Wait hold up dere, so after Skerrit came and read a speech about how the opposition forces with the assistance of a dump truck tried to overthrow him, is dis de police come and charge Lennox & dem with?

    Obstruction? Obstruction of what? Skerrit’s lies?

    Steeeuuuuuuuuuuupppppppppppssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    NEXT!!!

  18. August 5, 2017

    I want to once again call upon all police officers in the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force to exercise their duties as dictated by their oath of office and I quote “without favor or affection, malice or I’ll will”. Your alligence is to the people of Dominica not Political parties and certainly not politicians. You can only gain the respect of the populace by respecting them yourselves.

    • Wa Papa
      August 6, 2017

      That sounds good coming from you. You remember the days? You gained a reputation for your actions….

    • True Politics
      August 8, 2017

      Butcher you do not know that incitement and obstruction are indictable crime and can be tried either way

  19. Scampy
    August 5, 2017

    Those charged should be ashamed. It is a serious offence to attempt to overthrow a democratically elected dictator and friend of Baroness Scotland.

    • ye yep
      August 6, 2017

      hahahahaha I don’t think they got the sarcasm.

    • Tjebe fort
      August 6, 2017

      Scampy, you overdo your sarcasm my boy and most people think you are serious.

    • Jonathan St jean
      August 6, 2017

      Hello Scrampy,do you know the difference between being charged and being convicted? No one has been convicted,meaning has been found guilty,so there is no shame in being charged.Often times those who are charged turn around and sue because they have had their reputations tarnished.Wise up man

  20. carmen
    August 5, 2017

    Whomever is advising those dumb^&$% needs a medal!

  21. Peeping Tom
    August 5, 2017

    The institutions of a democracy at work, finally!

    • Jonathan St jean
      August 6, 2017

      You say finally? Why is it taking 17 years for the instructions of democracy to “finally” work.Go figure

    • Nac Vibes
      August 7, 2017

      You wouldn’t know democracy if it jumped bit you in the ass.

  22. My View
    August 5, 2017

    Copycat Skerrit trying a Maduro……But this can never succeed in Dominica….Shame :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

  23. JOSH SHAW
    August 5, 2017

    It is quite evident that Roosevelt and the criminal cabal are a bunch of cowards!
    They are trying to cause an unrest in Da so they can try to implement some rubbish
    law skerrit your time drawing near! All of you shall be erased from the streets of Da!
    Wait it is inevitable!

    • August 7, 2017

      Who is going to help you Dominicans if your PM adopt Maduro style of governing like what is taking place in Venezuela, right now The USA TRUMP is there for the people and he is standing with them and he warn Maduro that he will level sanction on him sadly the people will be caught up in it. Dominicans who will stand with you when it’s your turn and it will that’s something you all should be asking yourselves instead you allow your hatefulness of Lennox Linton and he’s from Marigot .
      Skerrit cannot stand the popularity of Linton so he will try anything the POP tells him but it will not work. He should read up on men like Nelson Mandella and Dr King .

  24. Laplaine Observer
    August 5, 2017

    This regime has adopted the strategies of current and former dictators by persecuting their political opponents with bogus fabricated charges. Skerritt blatantly lied and said that the demonstration was a coup attempt to overthrow the government, an allegation without any merits. If that’s the case, why the charge is obstruction? This utter nonsense has turned into an obsession and a continued effort to suppress freedom of assembly and expression.

  25. God is my leader
    August 5, 2017

    Labour party saying that cant be moved so why they are behaving this way. . They must do some mischief to make themselves look good when they are infact behaving posessed. and poor chief of police, they have him like a puppet on a string.

  26. THE LISTENER
    August 5, 2017

    Well done officers, leave no stones unturned, and it’s up to the magistrate to acquit them. We got the technology.

  27. prophet
    August 5, 2017

    Venezuela here we come. Birds of a feather flock together. Ignorance, dependence and poverty. Sorry for the police officers who are upright and want to just protect and serve.

  28. Shameless
    August 5, 2017

    Dcan, Dcans, Dcan please hear my cry! Blind support of evil politicians and a corrupt police high command will not do anyone or the country good. Time to step up and let us all go to court with Josh and Nicolas. From Capuchin to Casahcou, Senjo to C/Bruce let us unite again. Let us turn that court date into a day of reckoning. Newtown, RISEEEEEEEEEEEEE UP for your parl rep and show some love by flooding the court and environs on that date. I will be there so see you all there…….”DAY OF RECKONING” is at hand for the DLP and corrupt police force. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    Assertive like the rod of Moses! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

  29. dissident
    August 5, 2017

    Bring out all de tricks……….
    Of course you know by now the official campaign of MORE VOTES FOR JOSHUA HAS OFFICIALLY BEGAN!!

    TAKE THAT!
    MORE VOTES FOR JOSHUA!
    MORE VOTES FOR JOSHUA!
    MORE VOTES FOR JOSHUA!

    LET ME SEE YOUR STRATEGY TO CONQUER THAT!
    MORE VOTES FOR JOSHUA!

    • Anonymous
      August 8, 2017

      Yes Sir, Yoshua our bare foot hero, man of the people, champion of democracy who has not forgotten his roots like some I know, who despise the very people that vote for them.

  30. Clement Joseph
    August 5, 2017

    Clearly an abuse of process. R v Brentford Justices Exchange Pierre Wong states that to lay a summary charge days before the expiry of the Statute of limitations can amount to an abuse of process

    • Clement Joseph
      August 5, 2017

      R v Brentford Justices Ex Parte and not exchange Pierre

      • Shameless
        August 5, 2017

        Tell them bro. These guys are just plain vindictive and using the once prestigious police force to do their dirty deeds. Insp. Theophile is a good guy but will be tainted if he continues to do these evil deeds on behalf of the cabal. Carbon, “your” coursemate, and a protege of Alpe and David Andrew (two of the best at training) sure as hell surprises me everyday. But, god is good all the time!

        Assertive like the rod of Moses! :twisted: :twisted:

    • NUWP
      August 5, 2017

      Sour grapes Clement.

      We all know u vex with the Govt for two reasons.

      1, u are from marigot and dat hate for people who you all can’t manipulate

      2, u acted as DDP and u wanted to be confirm in the office and you didn’t get the job so u hate the govt for those reasons

      NOW I U THE GOVT DIDNT RMPLOY YOU BECAUSE YOU ALLOW YOU PARTISM MIDE CLOUD UR PROFESSIONAL MIND.

      The law clearly give a time by which they can be charged. THE QUESTION IS DID THE POLICE BREAK THE LAW BY CHARGING THEM MEN FOR THE CRIME WHICH WAS COMMITED ON FEB 07th 2017??
      If not mr marigot naygar what is your issue??

      U should be using ur knowledge to help educate the nation. But rather using it to play ur madness political game. But we the people of Dominica clearly not being moved or influenced by ppl like you. We know u all and trust me we don’t believe in ppl like u. U and Nicholas are a disappointment and a embarrassment to the law profession. Dats y u keep damaging the credibility of ur…

    • Anonymous
      August 8, 2017

      They do that only because Skerrit is pissed they are invited to go to China to see the President there. Ifa I were a policeman I would be very embarrassed right now. It is not the policemen but the one politician dictating to them.

  31. Tell it like it is
    August 5, 2017

    Is this for real? Almost six months later? wooooow!

  32. Tj
    August 5, 2017

    I guess the police was so busy that they waited for the last moment to charge Joshua? Again it is selective persecution and you wander why we have lost faith with DA police.

  33. Budding Political virtuoso
    August 5, 2017

    Begins with a tint of 1979.Let’s see how it unfolds.

  34. August 4, 2017

    Distraction for the beatting Skerrit got in parlament and Ng Lap Seng :-D :-D

    • Me
      August 6, 2017

      You are right Patat but don’t worry, MONFARED, MADUEKE, CORALLO, LAP SENG are still with us and won’t go away, nor are the fake knights of the sacred military order of St. George.

  35. anonymous2
    August 4, 2017

    Well, you can tell that there is no freedom in DA anymore.

  36. #First timer
    August 4, 2017

    Like seriously, since Feb 7th. Dude we’re in august and the cops are still harassing ppl. The words of Jimmy cliff, “can’t get no justice under this system”. Keep your head up josh. They can’t keep a good man down. Solid as a rock………!

  37. Fed up
    August 4, 2017

    pappyshow police. go and find some real work..smfh

  38. Unknown
    August 4, 2017

    What a joke, I think they want Dominica to become a one Party Country

  39. The Darkness
    August 4, 2017

    Sigh… this stinks of something… dirty swines?

  40. FEAR NO MORE
    August 4, 2017

    Skerritt, Minister of National Security and the Police should investigate the plane,. which is landing at dead of night at out airport. See what those wicked men are doing to our homeland.
    Criminals, crooks, involved in money-laundering, fraud, embezzlement of millions, have been found to be friends of wicked men and women. Many of them , possess our passports, DIPLOMATIC ones at that.
    Dominicans do not know anything about those secret deals, until anti-corruption agencies,,, have arrested them for all kinds of illegal acts, whether in Italy, Spain, Iran, US, UK, Nigeria. Crooks and criminals like Monfared, Corallo, Madueke, NG Lap Seng, and others face serious jail time for such despicable acts.
    Monfared was found to be hiding from INTERPOL, UN, US and Iran, right here in Dominica.

    But is Joshua Francis, Lennox Linton, Nicholas George, and other decent, law-abiding people they harass

    http://rijock.blogspot.com/2017/08/todays-pirates-of-spanish-main-now.html?m=1

    • ye yep
      August 5, 2017

      Why don’t somebody film the plane

    • Keep it simple
      August 5, 2017

      It doesn’t take a genius. The plane carries the guns needed to suppress any uprising or protest action against the corrupt government. They will attempt the change election laws again…this time more forcefully. Then they will attempt to have elections with reform and claim victory….similar to maduro. They will use all their arms to control the state. The opposition leaders will be jailed or executed. Mark my words.

      • Keep it simple
        August 5, 2017

        Correction….elections without reform

      • ye yep
        August 6, 2017

        I am not denying the plane. i just think a visual would strengthen the case.

  41. Ibo France
    August 4, 2017

    These charges are unequivocally political. The government in cahoots with the top echelon of the Police Force is hoping to profiteer from this invented scandal. For these two law abiding citizens to be dragged before a court of law is discomforting, unnerving and downright nauseating. This action is morally reprehensible. The society is regrettably very divided and the government is insisting on further splintering the people with its polluted politics. Truth has endurance and in the end these two decent gentlemen will be exonerated of all the bogus charges. We need a more cohesive community if we are to achieve our fullest potential as a nation. There is more power in unity than division.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      August 5, 2017

      One of them is not a law abiding citizen; if he was, he would not have got himself in the mess mingling with a minor!

      Less we forget!

  42. truth , shall set you free
    August 4, 2017

    Distraction,Distraction,Distraction,,Workers’ Keep the fire burning, Skerit is cornered, He saw it happening in venesuella, , so he is trying it in Dominica, But he know that, His days are numbered, Skerit must go

  43. anonymous
    August 4, 2017

    Preposterous. They are trying to get a conviction that would disqualify him from standing as a ember of Parliament. That is the only way they figure they can ensure a victory in Roseau south. Honestly these guys are desperate.

    • %
      August 5, 2017

      They still would not win Roseau South.If that is their plan,they better forget it!

  44. %
    August 4, 2017

    So his charge does not pertain to the stalled truck coup?…So how many people were charged for the overthrow?Why is Skerrit and his blind followers so silent on one of the greatest crimes against a country?Was he lying?I am hoping that those who were wrongfully arrested for overthrowing,will act accordingly.

    • Ibo France
      August 5, 2017

      I’m with you on this one %, 100%. A coup d’état is the most serious crime one could commit against one’s country. Although Mr. Sherrie accused the Opposition of an attempted coup d’état, not one person has been so charged. Is the PM a congenital liar? He has lost all credibility. Why should anyone believe anything he says going forward? That pronouncement was egregious. Too many colorful, unprincipled and dishonorable people running the affairs of governments today.

    • stupendous
      August 8, 2017

      we appear to be trivializing that accusation. That accusation did not come from a school child or a comedian this allegation of a coup came from the mouth of the Prime Minister followed by the Minister of National Security. As silly and stupid as it may seem and sound this is no joke and therefore should not be taken as such. But the reason Skerrit takes it on his own to make this erroneous statements and getting away with it is because we the society and institutions have allowed this thing to be played out as a big joke and we as a society as a country are being laughed at by the outside world. The institutions that matter have sat on the side lines to view this as a lennox vs skerrit show and trust me Dominica is the loser in all this. The silence of the churches, the DAIC,s the Bar Association and others of influence are a travesty to the rest of us in the society. It happened with the leaking of his IPO documents an erroneous lie we swept under the carpet now a coup what next.

  45. August 4, 2017

    The fear tactics are back on the program. Soon there will be some arrests one way or the other. As we have seen or those who are old enough; Skerrit and his associates legacy have taken more people to court than another leader in the world. All this court and arrest is simply to scare people in order to shut them up to continue leading the country in the wrong direction. There are only handouts and a so call budget which is based on selling passports. What ever amount of money the people who are prosecuted will pay it will still be taken of the money that would be put into the economy. One day Skerrit will not be the Prime Minister of Dominica and we will get back to our good senses like before Skerrit’s reign which will end like every thing which had a start.

  46. %
    August 4, 2017

    I thought that FAKE NEWS pertaining to the stalled truck that tried to overthrow the Skerrit cabal was over.Does anyone have the findings of the CARICOM INVESTIGATORS,or the coup only occurred in Skerrits mind??If the states money resources were used to pay the Caricom investigators,why cant the findings be made public?
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW

  47. Sextus
    August 4, 2017

    I have no doubt that this dictator is beginning to see the end of the rope!!!
    God is good NOT for one set!!!

  48. Citizen
    August 4, 2017

    Stupesssss. Wonder when will they find the missing persons and who brought down the barrel of guns and ………………. Too much to type

  49. Mr. Ben Dover
    August 4, 2017

    Why only Francis? Why didnt they take the information of all the other people who stood right next to Francis also?

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available