4 days ago
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The arrest of Brian “Yellowman” Audinett has sparked political debate after UDP Chairman Sheena Pitts accused the Government of using law enforcement as a tool for political victimization. Speaking publicly on the matter, Pitts rejected suggestions that Audinett was detained due to gang affiliation and said she personally disputes that characterization, noting she has known him for years.
Sheena Pitts, UDP Chairwoman: “Look at what happened on the morning of our last protest, while gathering placards to take out to our point of protest Brian “Yellowman” Audinett was arrested. And on the paper given to him that the state uses to tell you know what you’re in there for , they wrote BMOG. That is an acronym. Words that stand for “Being a member of a gang.” Now, I have the fortunate advantage of saying that I know Yellowman all my life and I will not put my head on a block and get it chopped off but I can say with absolute certainty that at not time Yellowman has ever been a member of a gang. Yellowman is a political affiliate. He belongs to the same party I belong. What did the police department suggest by doing that ? Yellowman can’t say what he wants to say because they claim, according to them, members of this United Democratic Party reported to them concerns about Yellowman. Mind you, when they thought me would have been in Belmopan, they gathered a thirteen page document of all the police department that they will deploy out there because they thought it would have been mutiny you know? And if it is he was designated a threat the way the police were Mr.Broaster speak up, they tail you. They assign officers to you. Mr.Cowo did you know I had a police officer assigned to me ? Me, little scrawny me. So if Brian “Yellowman” Audinett was tagged as a person of interest who they suspect could be problematic save the man that you had for me, put it on him. But no they said he was a member of a gang. Which gang ? Are political parties gangs now ?”
However, Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has offered a different account, stating that police acted after receiving information from within the UDP itself. According to Rosado, officers were warned that Audinett was inciting violence ahead of last week’s protest in Belize City.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “Like I mentioned, the members of the United Democratic Party reached out to the Belize Police Department of concern that they had that the Yellowman was trying to incite violence. And based on that, he was brought in an interviewed. The investigation is ongoing at the moment.”
Reporter: You actually said that members of the party reached out to the police because they were concerned that there was going to be tension.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “Yes. There are several members of the United Democratic Party that reach out to the police department based on some text messages that Yellowman circulated. And they were concerned that it might escalate to violence.”
Reporter: With Yellowman you are charging him with being a member of gang at least that’s what the form said but it’s to work in your favor and against the demonstrators.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “What acronym that was there we are still trying to ascertain that acronym that somebody place there were not sure if it was placed by an investigator but I can ascertain that the Yellowman was detained for inciting violence and the investigation is ongoing at the moment.”
Authorities say the action was taken in the interest of public safety, while the Opposition maintains the detention was politically motivated./
English (US) ·