Former President David Granger yesterday accused the current government of persecuting public servants and described as inhumane the decision by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to keep embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo in custody for 144 hours.
Speaking to supporters gathered outside the High Court yesterday, Granger said that his party had engaged in protests to protect Mingo’s rights.
“Mr Mingo has rights, he is not a flight risk. He’s not going to run away from this country, he’s been here all the time –a quiet, peaceful, modest man, mature man –we asked for him to be released from custody so that he can rejoin his family,” he explained.
Mingo has been placed on $150,000 bail on each of four charges of misconduct in public office pertaining to the March 2nd General and Regional Elections.
He had been arrested at his home at Little Abary, Mahaicony and transported to the Criminal Investigation Department at Eve Leary. Guyana’s laws provide for a maximum 72-hour detention before an accused must either be charged or released. At the expiration of the 72 hours the GPF applied for and received a 24-hour extension. It was after that extension expired that the GPF presented him with the charge. He was never offered station bail. Since his detention Mingo’s attorney Darren Wade has repeatedly complained about the manner in which his client is being treated. Mingo was repeatedly questioned and subjected to several confrontations without legal representation.
“It is inhumane for him to be treated the way he’s treated and we ask that the matter not be politicized, if there are questions, he will answer those questions… he will be able to answer those questions,” Granger stressed.
