….attorney accuses gov’t of abusing the Cyber Crime legislation
Gavin Matthews, a popular social media talk show host, was arrested Thursday morning by ranks of the Guyana Police Force for allegedly causing emotional distress and humiliation to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr in breach of the Cyber Crime Act.
Matthews was arrested even as he was broadcasting a protest at the Square of the Revolution on his Facebook Page. “It is alleged that on the 25th March, 2021 at Georgetown, you used a computer system to publish a video on Facebook that is derogatory with intent to humiliate and embarrass or cause emotion distress to Charles Ramson Jr.,” one of the police officers said as he read to the offence to Matthews, who immediately denied the allegation.
Matthews was subsequently cautioned, arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.
Before entering the police vehicle, Matthews had this to say: “Charles Ramson Jr. and I are not friends; I don’t know him, he is a de facto minister within the de facto government, and he got to come good better than that,” Matthews said while en route to the police station.
He said his arrest was an attempt by government to shut him up.
Matthews’ Lawyer, Darren Wade, when contacted by Village Voice News on Thursday afternoon, said his client was still in police custody. Wade said that the police have thus far provided little details on the alleged crime committed.
“I condemn his arrest; the government is using the legislation (Cyber Crime Act) to clamp down on any statement of dissent,” Wade said.
