Attorney Dexter Todd Slams Terrorism Charges Against Protesters in Adriana Younge Unrest: “We Are a Laughingstock”
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Outspoken attorney Dr. Dexter Todd is strongly criticizing the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for what he describes as an overreach in charging protesters with terrorism following widespread demonstrations over the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge.
Speaking during a live broadcast hosted by Simona Broomes, founder of the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Dr. Todd expressed disbelief over the use of Article 309A of the Criminal Offences Act—a law that includes provisions for acts of terrorism—against individuals arrested during the recent civil unrest.
“There are other charges that could be brought—riotous behavior, damage to property—if you have the evidence,” Dr. Todd stated. “But to go to the extreme of charging people with acts of terrorism? Let me tell you something: we are a laughingstock.”
According to the GPF, over 100 individuals have been arrested in the past 24 hours amid protests that swept through regions including East Bank Essequibo, West Bank Demerara, and Corentyne Berbice. The unrest was sparked by public outcry surrounding the circumstances of Adriana Younge’s death and the perceived mishandling of the investigation.
Seventeen arrested appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. They now face serious charges under terrorism-related provisions.
Dr. Todd raised the alarm over the fact that many of the accused had no legal representation and were reportedly swept up in mass arrests, sometimes mistaken for others.
“Every one of them broke down in tears,” Todd said. “Some of them even knew the people who were throwing objects on the road—but they weren’t the ones doing it. And yet they’re the ones in court, while the real offenders walk free.”
He further questioned the legitimacy of the charges, arguing that no proper investigation could have been conducted in the time between the arrests and the court appearances.
“There is no way any officer could have investigated these terrorism charges properly. That means these individuals were charged first, and the investigations are still ongoing. That is a violation of due process,” Todd warned.
The terrorism charges have triggered concern across legal and civil society circles, with growing calls for the state to re-evaluate its response to the public demonstrations and respect the constitutional rights of its citizens.
