Opposition Leader Condemns Police Over Arrest of Activist Robin Simon, Calls for Her Immediate Release
By Dacia Richards | HGP Nightly News
Georgetown, Guyana – Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton is slamming the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for what he described as its “gross incompetence” and politically motivated targeting of opposition supporters. His remarks come after People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) activist Robin Simon was detained on Tuesday, following the issuance of a wanted bulletin for her arrest.
Norton is demanding Simon’s immediate release, declaring that she has committed no crime and is being unjustly harassed by law enforcement.
“We call on the Guyana Police Force to release her. She has committed no crime,” Norton said during a press engagement. “You seem to be protecting the criminals and arresting the innocent.”
Simon’s arrest is believed to be linked to her participation in protests following the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, whose lifeless body was found in a swimming pool at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. The slogan she allegedly used, “No Justice, No Peace,” has become widely associated with calls for accountability in Adriana’s case.
“To say that [‘No Justice, No Peace’] is not a crime,” Norton emphasized. “She cannot be incarcerated for using a slogan that all and sundry have been using.”
The opposition leader reiterated that the APNU+AFC coalition supports only peaceful demonstrations, distancing the party from recent acts of looting and violence.
“We do not condone disorderly behavior or criminal activities,” Norton clarified. “Once street-oriented protests emerged, the PPP was going to utilize the criminals at its disposal to penetrate the protests.”
He further accused the ruling PPP administration of deploying criminal elements to undermine legitimate protest movements and sow racial discord across communities.
“The police should be pursuing the real criminals, not persecuting citizens for expressing themselves,” Norton said. “The government must stop using criminals to create racial division and scapegoat the opposition.”
Simon, who has vowed not to be silenced, remains in custody as her legal team and supporters continue to demand her release.
