APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Annette Ferguson was last evening released by the police on her own recognisance after being held in connection with a cyber crime probe.
Ferguson’s arrest sparked a furious row between Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn.
Earlier yesterday, the police said that the arrest of Ferguson was pursuant to a report received against her in relation to an allegation of a cyber crime.
The police said that the complainant is a senior member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who made the allegation against Ferguson in relation to a Facebook social media post which falsely alleged that the said senior GDF rank will be in charge of a killing squad.
Investigations are ongoing and upon completion the file will be sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, the police said. Last evening, the police said that Ferguson had been released on her own recognisance after being interviewed by investigators in the presence of her lawyer.
Prior to her release, Harmon had condemned the action against her and this had triggered a defence from Benn.
Harmon in a statement said: “I strongly condemn the actions of the Guyana Police Force in arresting APNU+AFC Coalition Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Annette Ferguson today on spurious grounds of breaching the cybercrime act.
“The PPP regime’s persecution of the political Opposition continues with wanton disregard for the law, the constitution and the rights of citizens. The Guyana Police Force has been fully weaponized against the Opposition.
“We appeal to all right thinking Guyan-ese, local and international human rights bodies, civil society and all other democracy-loving entities to condemn these dictatorial and authoritarian acts of political persecution being meted out by the PPP to Opposition Members of Parliament”.
He accused the PPP/C government of “intensifying its vulgar and grotesque campaign of political persecution against the political Opposition”.
He demanded the withdrawal of these “spurious, baseless and politically motivated charges”.
Benn responded shortly after.
He said: “I wish to reject, in entirety, the assertions made by Mr Joseph Harmon, in a statement he issued today, on the issue of the questioning and arrest, and the laying of charges by the Guyana Police Force against Ms. Annette Ferguson M.P. in matters identifying breaches of the Cyber Crime Act.
“Mr. Harmon, of all persons, should need no reminding that all persons – inclusive of Members of Parliament and, also, members of the APNU/AFC – are subject to the Laws of Guyana adherence to which the Guyana Police Force is duty bound to enforce without fear or favour.
“Mr. Harmon’s now natural reflexive instincts of making unwarranted attacks about partisan `…political persecution…’, `…weaponizing of the Guyana Police Force…’ …are not only grossly untrue but are of malicious intent”.
Benn added that “When viewed from its advocacy and reckless support of Ms. Ferguson’s present gross indiscretions Harmon’s statement goes further by identifying the continuous resort to the racist and seditious playbook he has ready at hand”.
