GUYANA | WPA Social Media broadcast host arrested and jailed, Ubraj Narine protests!

GEORGETOWN,  Guyana, May 29, 2024 - Vice Chairman  of The Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD) Ubraj Narine, is concerned over the arrest of Guyanese social media broadcaster Kidakie Amsterdam could be a blatant violation of his civil liberties and has called on all Guyanese citizens to be careful that what they say on social media is not derogatory or have any intent to humiliate, embarrass or cause emotional distress to other persons." 

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member and Buxton Morning Time host, Kidackie Amsterdam was Tuesday morning arrested at his Buxton, East Coast Demerara residence for allegedly committing cyber-crimes, prompting his party to deem him a “political prisoner”.

"Freedom of expression within the context of the constitution, is a right that the Government of Guyana is often attempting to oppress," said IFAAD Vice Chairman, Ubraj Narine.

Amsterdam was arrested  on Tuesday morning  while broadcasting his morning social media show. The authorities have not provided a clear justification for his detention. This action appears to be an attempt to silence a critical voice and political opponent of the government.

Report say Amsterdam was arrested and taken to the CID headquarters for questioning in relation to cybercrime allegations made against him.

The police in an official statement said:

The Guyana Police Force wishes to notify the public that at about 11:00 hrs today, ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) contacted Kadackie Amsterdam at his recording studio at Annandale, East Coast Demerara, where he was told of the undermentioned allegations and arrested.

Amsterdam was arrested in relation to three cybercrime offences, including:

• Using a computer system to transmit words spoken by a video that encourages or incites any person to commit the offence of Murder against the President and members of the Government, contrary to Section 18(1)(c) of the Cybercrime Act No 16 of 2018.
• Using a computer system to disseminate information knowing the same to be false, contrary to Section 19(3) (a) of the Cybercrime Act No 16 of 2018.

According to the police, these offences were also allegedly committed against a businessman and others.

According to the Cyber Crime Act N0 16 of 2018, if convicted on Indictment for the first offence, a person is liable to imprisonment of five years.

If convicted summarily on the second offence, a person is liable to a fine of $5M and imprisonment of three years.

If convicted on Indictment, a person is liable to a fine of $10M and imprisonment of five years.

The WPA said Amsterdam “ was taken to the CID headquarters and held for two hours before he was transferred to the Ruimveldt police station where he is currently being detained,” the WPA said before adding, “he was informed of the reason for his arrest only after repeated queries by his attorney, Nigel Hughes. 

The WPA says the party views this development as another brazen utilisation of the police by the political bosses to harass and intimidate political opponents.”

The party notes that in denying  Amsterdam station bail, the “WPA therefore deems Mr. Amsterdam a political prisoner whose civil rights are being trampled upon.”

IFAAD has called on the Government of Guyana to immediately release Mr. Amsterdam and cease its efforts to suppress free speech and democratic dissent, as all Guyanese citizens must be able to exercise their fundamental rights without fear of persecution or imprisonment.

The following is the official gazette of August 13, 2018 of the Cybercrime Act number 16 of 2018 which outlines the law as it pertains to offences committed under the Cybercrimes Act of 2018.

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