AFC slams State ‘intimidation’ after river standoff leads to arrest of opposition members

(Kaieteur News) – The Alliance For Change (AFC) has strongly condemned the recent police operations targeting opposition Members of Parliament, characterising the aggressive State action as part of a dangerous “drift toward dictatorship.”

The statement follows the dramatic, six-hour midnight operational confrontation on the Demerara River. Joint Services ranks intercepted a fast craft carrying Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed alongside opposition Members of Parliament: Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Dawn Hastings-Williams, and Natasha Singh-Lewis at Friendship, East Bank Demerara. The opposition figures were returning from visiting grieving families and survivors of the recent MV Barima maritime tragedy in Region One.

Mohamed was subsequently released on $100,000 bail after being arrested under broad references to maritime legislation, while MP Singh-Lewis was detained at the Farm Police Station and released on $200,000 bail over a licensed firearm stowed in her vehicle belonging to MP Hastings-Williams.