“We couldn’t have found a better charge,” Attorney General Anil Nandlall declared Tuesday night, defending the police decision to lay terrorism charges against scores of Guyanese recently arrested for unrest following the death of Adriana Younge.
Dozens of individuals across the country have been charged and remanded under Section 309(A) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act — a section amended to address acts intended to “strike terror” in the public.
The charges stem from widespread violence, including the burning of tyres on public roads, robberies, and the looting of Chinese-owned supermarkets.
Public disturbances reportedly involved individuals arming themselves with cutlasses, assaulting and robbing commuters — even targeting homeless persons — and damaging public and private property.
“I want to say to those who say that we made the wrong charge… I want to say that we couldn’t find a better charge.
“This is not excessive,” the Attorney General said.
“When you light the road afire, rob supermarkets, and walk the streets with weapons, that is striking terror. That is exactly what the law was designed to address.”
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC during his end of year press conference (Photo: Avidesh Narine/ News Room/ December 28, 2024)
The legislation, originally strengthened following the deadly 2002 crime wave, criminalises any act done “by any means whatsoever” with the intent to cause fear, injury, death, or property damage.
Nandlall dismissed criticism that the charges were too harsh, insisting that the nature of the events left authorities with no softer alternative.
“These were not peaceful protests,” he said. “They were orchestrated attempts to reign terror across the land. The law was appropriately applied.”
The individuals charged remain in custody as investigations and court proceedings continue.
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