We also spoke to Shyne Barrow - who was more outraged that the case got so far - than he was relieved that it is over.
He also disagreed with the attorney that his seat in the house was in any jeopardy. He spoke to the media via Zoom:
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"It was truly a waste of the court's time. It was truly a desperate attempt to distract the Belizean people from the true issues that we are facing in this country as far as cost of living, the scandals at SSB."
"And it truly underpins the Prime Minister's unsuitability to lead this country. I am telling you that for him to allow this type of circus, this type of kangaroo court on a baseless, unfounded objection is truly another example of his unfit to lead this country."
"They had the Secretary General in court. They had the Deputy Secretary General, the gentleman Mr. Montejo, who was on the Elections and Boundaries Redistricting Task Force. They had all the PUP executives, and mind you, the Party Chairman is the Minister of Public Service and Elections, commenting on the case talking about, I have to answer."
"It is his public officer that they are attacking. And people are not even realizing that. It is not Shyne Barrow, leader of opposition that is being objected to. It is the registering officer who is a public officer who decided that I should be on the voter's list because I met the requirements according to the law."
"And so I am grateful that the Chief Magistrate in her wisdom saw through this political witch hunt, this political charade."
Jules Vasquez
"But there is a thing called litigation risk. And anyone who enters a courtroom faces a litigation risk. You never know how the judge will make a decision. Is there any relief for you now that the specter of this? Because indeed, if you are convicted of electoral fraud, you would have to vacate the house of representatives."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, that's another complete mistruth and misfact. I was not before the court. If the magistrate would have ruled that I did not meet the requirements to transfer into Mesopotamia, you know what would have happened?"
"I would have gone back to the civil aviation address on Seashore Drive, which I have not lived for like four years, where I'm currently registered. It is the election and boundaries chief officer or one of their executives that would have to file a complaint against me personally to say that I committed any type of election offense and that is not their position."
"Their position is that I belong on the electorate voters list for Mesopotamia."
Jules Vasquez
"Will you change your registration address?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Change it to what?"
Jules Vasquez
"The home and St. Charles that they allege you live at."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Brother, that is one of my residences. I make no shame about that. Show me where in our constitution, in the representation of the People's Act, one is prohibited from having multiple residences. So, Julius Espat could have house in Cayo, and house on Sea Shore Drive, and house wherever else, and I can't?"
"It's always been my thing that I need to be connected to my people and sleep there. But that's not nobody's business, that's not if I call Jules...and that is also a security risk. I don't have any 24-hour police escort."
"So, I need to move in a fashion that is discreet, as I always do, according to my time."
Reporter
"You do spend the night sleeping there."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Of course! But that's not for I tell you, or I tell Jules. That is my business. But there's a bed there, I have what I need to have there."
