Benschop granted $10,000 bail on incitement charges
Rearrested after another confrontation


Stabroek News
March 15, 2001

`Straight Up' host, Mark Benschop was put on bail after appearing in court yesterday on charges stemming from a protest outside the Elections Commission but several hours later he was back in the Brickdam Police Station lock-ups after yet another confrontation with law enforcement officers.

Hundreds of persons gathered around the police barricades after he appeared in court yesterday morning chanting and calling for the release of the controversial television personality.

Although only a few managed to make it into the Magistrate's court compound during his brief appearance in front of Principal Magistrate, Juliet Holder-Allen, they eventually downed the cordons in time to lift him onto their shoulders and carry him triumphantly into the streets.

Before all that drama, the 32-year-old 90 Laluni Street, Queenstown resident had secured $10,000 bail after denying:

* that on March 13, at High Street, Kingston, he incited members of the public at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for disorderly purposes and did not disperse or move away when required by Superintendent Leroy Brummel;

* that he resisted peace officer, Brummel, while he was acting in execution of his duties;

* that he incited members of the public at Channel 9 for disorderly purpose.

According to the prosecution's case, a Sergeant of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stationed at the Brickdam station, drew Brummel's attention to a programme on NBTV, Channel 9, in which the defendant was urging members of the public to go in front of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to protest their inability to collect their new national identification cards.

After making some calls, the officer went down to GECOM where he saw Benschop emerging from a taxi. It is alleged that the media operative immediately prompted the persons present to protest despite warnings from Brummel to desist from such acts.

As such, the ranks present attempted to arrest him but he pushed them away. After several attempts, he was apprehended and taken to the station.

Less than three weeks ago, Benschop appeared before another city magistrate charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer. Prior to that incident, he had been placed on a six-month bond (which is still in effect) by Chief Magistrate, Paul Fung-A-Fat to be of good behaviour.

He returns to court on April 11 in relation to the case stemming from Tuesday's incident outside GECOM.

Following his arrest again yesterday, sources say more charges are likely to be brought against him.