A 27-year-old man from Chesney, Corentyne, was arrested on Tuesday as police investigated statements about making explosives allegedly heard during a livestream of Monday’s protest outside the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Police said a video circulating on social media contained remarks about making explosives commonly referred to as “channa bombs”. The recording was made during a Facebook Live broadcast from an account under the name “FS Khan”, while protesters gathered in connection with Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed’s extradition hearing.
According to the police statement, the video also showed persons throwing missiles at ranks, while a male voice could be heard saying, “Burn the place.”
Police said the arrested man acknowledged being at the protest and conducting the livestream. He told investigators that several persons nearby were making threatening remarks towards officers.
The statement did not identify the arrested man as the person who made the remarks about explosives or the call to burn the area. It did not announce any charges.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the statements and possible offences involving threats of violence and incitement, police said.
Monday’s demonstration began largely peacefully, with supporters of the We Invest in Nationhood party gathering outside the courthouse to demand Mohamed’s release. It later escalated into confrontations in which some protesters hurled missiles at officers and police opened fire.
Unrest subsequently spread to sections of the Stabroek Market area, where makeshift barricades were erected and objects set alight. Police were seen extinguishing fires.
The protest coincided with Mohamed’s appearance in extradition proceedings involving him and his father, Nazar Mohamed. Those proceedings are separate from the surveillance footage case in which the Opposition Leader and Constable Ryan Greene were refused bail on October 30 and remanded until November 24. Both pleaded not guilty.
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