The prosecution yesterday led a new witness in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the charge against Oliver Hinckson of advocating a terrorist act but the matter had to be adjourned for Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle to rule on whether evidence tendered should be admitted.
Detective Corporal Suraj Singh took the stand to give evidence but when Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin tendered notes that were extracted from Singh’s diary as evidence the defence objected saying that the notes cannot be tendered since it constitutes secondary evidence and has been coloured by the witness’ prejudice.
Meanwhile, the ex-army officer requested to address the court shortly before the case was adjourned. Hinckson said that as of the last two weeks there has been a campaign by the police against his family and friends. He said that as recently as Wednesday evening police had gone to the place where his twelve-year-old daughter resides, brandishing weapons and claiming they were there looking for guns and ammunition. He also said that his friend Augustus Stuart – who was recently released on $150,000 bail after he was charged with the possession of an AK-47 magazine and 19 7.6×39 rounds, was detained by the police once again. Hinckson said that the harassment by the police is contributing to the deterioration in his friend’s health. Hinckson requested that the Magistrate make a ruling or some sort of statement so that the police will desist from harassing those close to him.
The last court session was adjourned for Datadin to reply to an objection made by defence counsel Vic Puran, who said that the foundation for the last witness Victorine Foremont had not been laid.
Foremont who is attached to the computer section of the Criminal Investigation Department was giving evidence regarding what she saw on a DVD of the press conference at City Hall during which Hinckson is alleged to have made seditious statements.
Puran had told the court that the witness could not testify about the footage on the DVD because she was not the maker of the DVD and therefore her testimony would be based on hearsay. Further he said that the item stems from a chain which the court itself has not ruled admissible.
The magistrate had then read the objection to the witness and explained why she would not be able to continue her testimony and the PI was adjourned to yesterday so that Datadin could reply. He however did not reply but called a fresh witness to the stand.
Hinckson was charged on March 11 with uttering seditious statements and advocating a terrorist act. The charges stemmed from a statement he made at City Hall on February 11 of this year. On September 24 a ruling is expected in the High Court regarding bail for Hinckson.
