Police Face Questions Over August’s 28-Hour Detention for Non-Violent Charge

Today we asked the police about August's unusual detention before charges were laid, which required him to be held in custody for 28 hours.

Jules Vasquez
"But would you say it is standard for someone, usually my experience with minor charges or non-violent charges, is that, you know, you're made aware of the charge, either they will pick you up and then they present you the charge, or you're asked to appear and you go in and you get the charge and you leave. But in this case, he was detained, interviewed, and then they said they were taking advice, etc. It just seems irregular and it seems punitive. Like, you know, you insult the minister, we lock you down."

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I don't know that the procedure that was undertaken in the case of Mr. August was an anomaly. I am sure that there were other instances that the matter was dealt with similarly. So I don't know it to be a strange occurrence when it comes to investigation. You stated that he was detained and an interview was conducted and that is a part of the process that is done."

Jules Vasquez
"Other persons have made the same posts that Mr. August made. They made copycat posts, at least three that I know of, John Saldiva, Alfonso Noble, Brian Lord. And I have certainly made a cartoon as well with a depiction of the same. Will there be charges brought against other persons or other persons being investigated for the same cyber crime offense?"

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I am not aware that any additional report was made and a report would need to be made before an investigation is carried out. So that is the position on that."

Jules Vasquez
"So Mr. Mira, who is a complainant would have to make a complaint in every instance against these persons, isn't it? He made a complaint about what offended him. I would think the cyber crime unit in its eternal vigilance would see that other persons are making the same post and know that it has caused the minister, as he attested, ridicule and embarrassment."

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"You stated that it has caused the minister ridicule and embarrassment. It is for him to put that in a statement. It is not for the police officers to assume. Yes, you can go by analogy that if the circumstances are the same and the same words are stated, that it can be assumed, but we are police officers."

"We're not in the business of assuming anybody's feeling. So I reiterate, a report will need to be made. And certainly there appears to be some nuance about such a circumstance, but I will leave it at that."

August Arrest Sparks Rare Unity Within Divided UDP

And while we will have to wait and see if those other UDP's who made identical posts will be charged - the fact that they did so indicates that the very divided party is rallying around August - who can be a divisive figure. We asked Peyrefitte about this:

Mike Peyreffite, August's Attorney

"Now, I don't know what it will do for the UDP nationally. What I can tell you what he has done for the UDP, and not only the UDP, but the majority of people who are not openly political in San Ignacio/Santa Elena."

"The people of San Ignacio/Santa Elena were not tolerant of what they did to Alberto. They saw it as high handed, disrespectful and just an overreach, an abuse of power. And they're going to send a message to the PUP. I know for sure specifically in San Ignacio and Santa Elena."

August Responds to Leader Tracy Panton's "Lukewarm" Statement

And while the UDP rallied around Alberto the party leader Tracy Panton issued a very lukewarm statement on Sunday and didn't even call his name or demand his release. We asked about that:

Alberto August
"It might be a reason for concern, but when you have the overwhelming amount of support from people coming in from all corners, you know, it's hard. The what the, the situation. I understand the party leader, that was her choice. I appreciate it, but I don't want I don't want to sit here and sort of use this to further divide the party, because that is not my intention."

"I appreciate whatever she said and what I most appreciated, like I said of the word Hugo Patt. But, well, the party should have said afterwards full statement. And, I thought that person's so I appreciate that, but I know I sit here and and criticize, and criticize the leader of the opposition."

Restore Belize Celebrates 18 Graduates and Scholarship Recipients

In other news, on Friday, Restore Belize organized a graduation ceremony to recognize 18 students, all recipients of the "I Am Belize" scholarship program, for their hard work and dedication throughout the academic year. Students shared their reflections at the ceremony, here's how it went.