By: Staff Writer
February 20, 2024
Former prime minister of Dominica, Edison James who is facing incitement charges, has been granted bail in the sum of $50,000 after the matter was earlier today sent to the High Court.
The 80-year-old was charged with “encouraging, persuading, or instigating by words, causing persons to jeopardize the safety or endanger the public peace”, following a United Workers Party (UWP) rally on February 7,2017, at which calls were made for the resignation of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
James, who served as prime minister between 1995-2000, has been at the centre of the alleged incitement case that also includes former opposition leader Lennox Linton and the current UWP leader and economist, Dr Thomson Fontaine.
Magistrate Michael Laudat dismissed a no case submission that had been filed on behalf of the James, who later told a radio audience that “I always expected the magistrate to send this matter to the High Court.
Observers say that this is another crackdown on opposition by Prime Minister Roosvelt Skerrit who has led the country since 2004.
Leader of the United Workers Party, Dr Fontaine, told reporters in Dominica that Mr James appeared before Magistrate Michael Laudat who rejected an application by James’ attorney, Gildon Richards, to have the matter struck out and instead, committed the case to the High Court.