Guyana Chronicle
May 18, 2001

CONTROVERSIAL television talk show host Mark Benschop was yesterday released from prison after his $500,000 bail was reduced by Chief Magistrate Paul Fung-A-Fat to $200,000.

Attorney-at-law Basil Williams, one of two lawyers representing the accused charged with sedition and incitement to commit murder, said that at around 11:00 hrs yesterday, Mr. Fung-A-Fat, upon hearing a plea that Benschop was unable to come up with the $500,000, accepted the application for reduced bail.

The main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) yesterday posted the $1M surety for other Channel Nine TV talk show host Ronald Waddell, also charged with sedition.

A PNC/R top executive reportedly posted the $200,000 bail for Benschop.

Mr Fung-A-Fat Tuesday ordered Waddell arrested after it was found that he had been released without bail conditions being met.

With the PNC/R putting up the $1M surety yesterday, the arrest warrant for Waddell was no longer in effect, officials explained.

Benschop spent Wednesday night in the Georgetown Prisons after he could not raise the bail money.

He and Waddell are due back in court today.

Police claim that Benschop on his April 9 programme incited Police officers to murder Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis.

They added that he made a number of seditious statements intended to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between different groups of Guyanese citizens.

Waddell has been charged with sedition for comments on his Channel Nine TV programme after Police said that he too attempted to raise discomfort among Guyanese citizens as well as attempting to promote feelings of ill will and hostility among different groups of Guyanese.