Multiple cybercrime charges have been filed with the Guyana Police Force against activist Melissa Atwell, popularly known as “Melly Mell.
Village Voice understands that among the complainants against Atwell are a former government minister, a privately owned hospital and a few serving members of the Guyana Police Force.
A usually reliable source confirmed that they have been made aware that the human rights activist is out of the jurisdiction and whenever she enters Guyana, she will be arrested and processed for court. “A wanted bulletin is likely, “ the source added.
Most recently, a team of undercover police ranks were dispatched to the Blankets and Baskets events which was held at the Everest Cricket club ground on July 9 last in search of Atwell. Atwell was associated with that event.
Atwell has received a number of awards for her activism work, including the Caribbean Impact award in 2022 which was presented to her by the Mayor of New York.
Atwell has since released a statement she made to the United States, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FB1). In her complaint she made known her action “is the beginning of a series of legal moves that will ensure that I and all Guyanese who speak out while overseas, are not transnationally repressed.”
Her statement follows:-
STATEMENT ON TRANSNATIONAL COMPLAINT REGISTERED WITH THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) | From Melly Mell
I have registered a transnational complaint with the FBI against the Government of Guyana (GOG) under the legal facility of Transnational Repression.
I have assessed the situation. I have concluded that there are moves by the regime to transnationally repress me for my human rights work in a view of trying to silence me.
As a Guyanese citizen who is residing in the US who continues her human rights work, this is expected.
As a consequence, I have kick started several international legal moves to guard against this transnational repression.
This has begun in earnest with the first step which I completed this morning.
This is the beginning of a series of legal moves that will ensure that I and all Guyanese who speak out while overseas, are not transnationally repressed.
