Corporal Ewart Bowen, of Beterverwagting Police Station, who was the fourth to testify, occupied the witness stand for about 10 minutes, sparking immediate protest by Mr Mortimer Coddette, one of the lawyers representing political activist Benschop.

Coddette complained that the Special Prosecutor, Mr Sanjeev Datadin continues to act in bad faith by not producing more witnesses.

Since the start of the pre-trial proceedings, Datadin has produced only one witness at each session during which a hearing took place and another Defence Counsel, Mr Basil Williams had asked Magistrate Chandra Sohan to dismiss the case.

But no such ruling was made yesterday.

Before the resumption, the accused told the Court he had been subjected to physical assault and threats by policemen who escorted him from Georgetown Prison to Brickdam Police Station last Wednesday.

Benschop said the cops pointed guns at him, demanding to know the whereabouts of his co-accused Phillip Bynoe and he has reported the occurrence in statements to the Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice.

Meanwhile reporters covering the case had to stand for the duration of yesterday’s sitting, because they were not allowed to sit in their usual place in the well of the Court.