GEORGETOWN, Guyana, April 21 2015 – Lawyers representing former president Bharrat Jagdeo have called for a private criminal charge filed against him by a chartered accountant to be thrown out.
Christopher Ram is contending that Jagdeo’s “racially decisive” statements made on March 8 at a memorial for the late president Cheddi Jagan about the beating of drums to drive out one race by another out of office, could result in ethnic violence or hatred as cited in the Representation of the of the People Act.
When the case came up at the Whim Magistrates Court on Monday Jagdeo was absent.
But his high powered team of lawyers led by attorney Bernard DeSantos argued that the summons was not properly prepared and the charge was an attempt to muzzle the former head of state.
If convicted Jagdeo, who served as president here from 1999-2011, and is a candidate for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C0 in the May 11 general election, could face a fine and jail term.
The case will continue on May 25 when Ram’s attorneys, who had requested time to prepare a rebuttal to the defendant’s submission, will respond to the arguments.
