-scuffles erupt with police near event for King Charles
Attempts by police to arrest We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) official Hana Mohamed sparked repeated scuffles on Carmichael Street yesterday afternoon, leaving her shirt torn open and visible marks on her chest and arms as protesters demanded reparations and the release of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed who was detained by police on Wednesday.
The protest unfolded near State House during the visit of King Charles III, with diplomats, government ministers and other dignitaries passing through the area to attend an event at the President’s official residence.
Kiskadee Watch, which witnessed the confrontation, observed police officers repeatedly attempting to restrain Mohamed, the Opposition Leader’s sister, as protesters resisted efforts to take her into custody. During the confrontation, she was forced against a gate on Carmichael Street.
Her shirt was pulled open during the attempts to arrest her. This news agency observed marks on her chest and arms, along with small spots of blood. Kiskadee Watch understands that she subsequently sought medical attention. Hana Mohamed had been detained on Wednesday in relation to a report of damage and was released later that night on bail.
The demonstration began around 4 p.m. near St. George’s Cathedral, where relatives of the Opposition Leader, WIN Members of Parliament and other supporters assembled before moving towards Quamina and Carmichael streets.
An early confrontation arose over Mohamed’s use of a megaphone. Police officers approached her and said she needed to contact the regional commander to obtain permission to use it.
Mohamed maintained that she was exercising her democratic right to protest peacefully. Although the initial exchange remained relatively calm, officers continued to insist that she could not use the megaphone.
As the demonstrators moved towards Carmichael Street, they called for reparations and the release of Azruddin Mohamed who was detained in a bribery probe. Police attempted to prevent Hana Mohamed from proceeding farther along the street, prompting resistance from protesters.
The confrontation escalated as officers surrounded her and attempted to restrain her. Kiskadee Watch observed her being pushed against a gate as police and demonstrators jostled in the confined space.
Scuffles continued for several minutes, with protesters attempting to prevent officers from taking her away. Despite the repeated attempts to arrest her, Mohamed continued calling for reparations and her brother’s release.
Other protesters also became involved in confrontations with police. During the clashes, Kiskadee Watch observed officers grabbing demonstrators, including by their necks and hair, and striking some as the crowd pushed back. Some demonstrators sustained visible marks during the exchanges.
Mohamed was eventually forced towards a police vehicle, where she climbed onto the vehicle and indicated that she was willing to accompany the officers. She nevertheless urged those gathered to continue the demonstration and ensure that their demands were heard.
Further exchanges followed when her husband arrived and sought to take her away for medical attention. After a lengthy back-and-forth with police, he escorted her from the scene.
The protest continued in her absence, with the Opposition Leader’s younger sister, Hadiyyah Mohamed, leading chants. Their mother, Bonita Mohamed, also joined supporters on the picket line.
Government supporters also gathered in the area, calling for Azruddin Mohamed’s extradition and exchanging chants with opposition demonstrators.
One counter-protester, identified at the scene as “Stacy” and also known as “T-Back Stacy”, played amplified news reports about Mohamed’s extradition proceedings from her vehicle. She also played loud music.
Kiskadee Watch observed Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, intervening and instructing police to allow her to continue playing the music. He indicated that opposition demonstrators had also been making noise.
The intervention came after police had earlier challenged Hana Mohamed’s use of a megaphone at the start of the opposition demonstration.
The opposing groups remained in the vicinity as officers attempted to manage the crowd and movement through the area.
Meanwhile, diplomats and other guests heading to State House had to make their way through the protest lines.
Representatives of the Canadian and United States diplomatic missions were among those seen passing through the area, along with other dignitaries and government ministers attending the event for King Charles III.
The demonstration continued into the evening, with opposition supporters maintaining their calls for reparations and the release of the Opposition Leader.
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