Magistrate Sohan resumes sitting at treason inquiry

Magistrate Sohan resumes sitting at treason inquiry
-- Crime Chief says not summoned to attend court

Guyana Chronicle
February 4, 2003

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MAGISTRATE Chandra Sohan yesterday resumed his seat on the Bench for the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the treason charge against political activist Mark Benschop, after an absence of one month attributed to illness.

But proceedings at the pre-trial hearing were put off to today, because Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law Enforcement) Leon Trim and another witness were both absent.

Leading Defence Counsel Basil Williams said the other witness, Charles Smith had become frustrated after attending on several occasions when Magistrate Sohan was reported sick.

The lawyer said Smith is resident out of Georgetown and in danger of losing his job as his employer is unhappy about him being away from work too often to attend Court.

Trim later yesterday said he had not been served with a summons to attend court yesterday or any other day.

Benschop, who was again alone in the dock, is on a joint charge that alleges that he and Philip Bynoe conspired together with others to forcibly and unlawfully enter Office of the President (OP) compound in Georgetown and were present and encouraged the others, by word and conduct, to storm the premises on July 3 last year.

Bynoe, though, has eluded an arrest warrant and remains a fugitive from justice.

Meanwhile, the application for Benschop to be granted bail, on the ground that the continuation of the PI was delayed, will occupy the attention of Justice Jainarayan Singh, once more, tomorrow.