UB Student Government President Moses Sulph today turned himself into police accompanied by his attorney, Michael Peyrefitte. Police had been looking for Sulph since yesterday for his involvement in the illegal student protest on Wednesday afternoon. This morning 7NEWS was on the scene when Sulph walked into the Queen Street Police Station.
Moses Sulph,
"I think I did nothing wrong so I don't know what the charges are about. I did nothing wrong but stand up for my country."
Jules Vasquez,
What do you expect will happen when you go in there?
Moses Sulph,
"I expect them to tell me what's up with the situation and probably we can clarify whatever misunderstanding there is."
Jules Vasquez,
But the three charges are written out that you had a illegal procession, that you stoned a police vehicle as well, and that you organized an illegal procession.
Moses Sulph,
"I would never stone a police vehicle because I know everybody know my face and that would be stupid but that is the way they try to intimidate you. But God is on my side and I'm with the people so I won't be intimidated."
Jules Vasquez,
Are you viewing this as persecution of some type?
Moses Sulph,
"I think its intimidation but I mean it won't work really."
Jules Vasquez,
Will you continue your efforts at civil disobedience or social resistance or activism as the case may be?
Moses Sulph,
"I will stand up for my country. I will stand up for Belize at any cost."
This afternoon chanting free Moses now a crowd of mostly student supporters gathered outside the Magistrate's Court. The crowd had to be kept out of the court, students had to be screened and sent back, and the crowd was warned not to chant because it would in contempt.
When Sulph came out it was to a hero's welcome - shaking hands and hoisted on the shoulders of supporters as they led a procession down Bishop Street.
Michael Peyrefitte,
"He was charged with 5 charges. One of them organizing an illegal procession, participating in illegal procession, damage to a police vehicle, and then he was given two trespass charges, one to the Palotti Compound and one to SJC compound. He pled not guilty to all 5. Bail was offered in the sum of $5,000 plus one surety."
Jules Vasquez,
Your client pleaded not guilty, are you confident that you will be able to get him off of these charges?
Michael Peyrefitte,
"Well I also asked for disclosure. What that means is that I want to see their evidence. We are not supposed to prove Mr. Sulph's innocence, they have to prove his guilt."
Patrick Jones, Channel 5 News
"Should other leaders of unions and student bodies be concerned that they too can find themselves dragged before the Magistrate's Court on these charges?"
Michael Peyrefitte,
"Well everybody should be concerned because then see there is no control over whatever the police want to charge you for. They could charge the 5 of us right now as a illegal gathering. We have no control over it. When they charge we ask for evidence, we ask them to substantiate that charge, and then we move on."
Sulph's case has been adjourned until June 9th, and he is to check in with the Clerk of Magistrate's Court every week.
