Opposition Member of Parliament and talk show host, Sherod Duncan appeared in the Diamond Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning charged for a cybercrime offense. The single charge is related to statements he allegedly made on his online talk show “In de Ring” which caused the Information Technology Manager at GECOM, Aneal Giddings to feel “hurt” and “embarrassed”. Duncan was represented by Attorneys Nigel Hughes, Khemraj Ramjattan, Iyanna Butts and Narissa Leander.
The charge filed by the Police is that on the 11th January without legal or lawful justification or excuse, Duncan allegedly used a computer to publish electronic data about Aneal Giddings with the intent to humiliate and embarrass and to cause emotional distress. Back in March, 2019, the then APNU+AFC Government had cause to strongly condemns as belligerent and inciting, inflammatory statements made by the then Opposition Leader, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six).
The Opposition Leader was at the time addressing residents of Region Six who gathered to commemorate the birth anniversary of late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. “Here in Berbice and right across Guyana when the ministers or [President David] Granger or [Prime Minister Moses] Nagamootoo come here after 21st of March, you chase them out,” Mr. Jagdeo said. The then Government had deemed the call by Jagdeo as a serious threat to peace and racial Harmony in Guyana. In that same year the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was called a “worm” and a “Jellyfish” by Jagdeo at a press conference held in June at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Queenstown, Georgetown.
Also, there are documented cases in which senior PPP members continuously address Former President David Granger as “DOG” on their Facebook pages. The enactment of the cybercrime legislation under the APNU+AFC Government was not meant to be used as a political weapon to settle political scores but rather to prevent bullying and other serious crimes against citizens with the use of the internet. The APNU+AFC Government as a matter of policy and good Governance avoided at all cost, charging political opponents using the cybercrime laws. Many will argue that under the Granger led APNUAFC Government democracy and freedom of speech flourished in Guyana.
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