Former government parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud has sued Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan for over $30 million over alleged libelous statements he has made about him in the aftermath of the December 21st, 2018 no-confidence motion vote in the National Assembly.
The application, which has been filed on Persaud’s behalf by attorney Christopher Ram, is based on statements made by Ramjattan that were published in the local media and on social media after Persaud voted against the APNU+AFC government during the consideration of the PPP/C-sponsored motion. The motion was declared carried by a vote of 33 to 32, with Persaud’s vote tipping the scales in its favour.
In particular, the action cites statements attributed to Ramjattan in stories published in the Guyana Chronicle (‘Cops closing in on Charrandas,’ published on December 31st, 2018), Stabroek News (‘Ramjattan: Charrandas Persaud is villain, not hero,’ published on January 1st, 2019) and statements he made on a talk show, Globe Span 24X7, streamed on Facebook and YouTube on February 23rd.
“The statements and articles consist of false statements and innuendoes tailored and intended to harm the Claimant’s reputation and character,” Persaud’s application states.
“By way of innuendo the statements complained of meant and were understood to mean that the Claimant was a traitor, dishonest and had accepted monetary or other inducements or benefits for his vote on a motion of no-confidence against the Government to which the Defendant is allied,” it adds.
The application further notes that in relation to the innuendo that Persaud was a “traitor” by supporting the no-confidence vote, he had publicly stated that he exercised his conscience when he voted and that his vote was influenced by his then party “being heartless” to the cries of the sugar workers, a major part of his constituents, when it decided to close sugar estates. It says, too, that in relation to innuendoes that he was dishonest and had accepted monetary and other inducements or benefits in exchange for his support for the motion, Persaud has publicly rebuked the accusations and innuendoes in the media.
The statement of claim notes that Ram, based on Persaud’s instructions, wrote Ramjattan on February 27th and demanded that he retract the alleged libelous statements, apologise for them and undertake not to repeat them. However, he did not do so.
The statement of claim asserts that by reason of the publication of the words complained of, Persaud has been humiliated by verbal abuse on his Facebook page via comments on his posts and messages to his inbox and due to threats being made to his life he is also fearful of returning to Guyana.
It also says that Persaud’s reputation as an attorney has been called into question and his clientele has been placed in jeopardy, while his potential political campaigns in support of plans to launch a political party have also been affected. It adds that Persaud has also suffered psychological effects, while his family has been taunted, insulted and has suffered anxiety, which has caused him additional hurt and anxiety.
As a result, the application, among other things, is seeking from the court an award of damages in excess of $30 million; and injunctions restraining Ramjattan, his servants or agents from publishing or causing to be published the same or similar defaming words on social media, any other electronic or non-electronic media, and the local news media.
