By Shermain Bique-Charles
Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin claims a lawsuit brought against the government following the arrest of a prominent Dominican businessman is frivolous and without merit.
Dolwin Alexander, who is wanted by French authorities, was arrested based on a notice issued by Interpol on behalf of the French government.
Alexander, through his attorney Wendel Robinson, is seeking damages which could top EC$200,000.
Robinson said that his client was wrongfully arrested and exposed to an inhumane situation while at the St John’s Police Station.
The lawsuit is against Benjamin and the Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney.
“As far as this matter is concerned, I am completely unimpressed. That matter is frivolous. I don’t think it has any merit. This claim will fail badly. It is vexatious and it will fail,” Benjamin said.
But Robinson maintains that Alexander’s arrest breached his freedom of movement and liberty.
Robinson claimed his client will also be taking legal action for false imprisonment, and arbitrary arrest.
Alexander, in an affidavit, said that after he arrived at the VC Bird International Airport on a LIAT flight at 6pm on July 8, he cleared Immigration and proceeded towards the Customs desk to collect his luggage.
He said he was then whisked away by plainclothes police and transported to the police station in St John’s where he was placed in a cell and given little information from the authorities. He was released just over 24 hours later.
“All I was told by Sergeant Chapman at CID is that I am wanted by overseas law enforcement for drug trafficking. Nothing else was said to me, nor was I given any documents, except for a list of items taken from me and being held by the police in CID.
“I was also given my Dominican passport.
“There are no blankets, no pillows, and no mattress available to sleep on, except for empty benches. I hardly got any sleep. Human faeces [is] all over the floor in the bathroom, and there is no running water. The toilets are not even flushing,” he said in the statement.
Alexander, who is well known in Dominica, said he was given no reason for his detention and was never shown an Interpol Red Notice or any other document.
“No warrant for my arrest was issued to me by the police officer. My human rights are being infringed upon,” he said in his affidavit.
Alexander said he was offered nothing to eat, however the conditions were so inhumane he could not have tolerated any food.
“Because of the stench from the faeces in the nearby bathroom. No hand sanitisers are available and no mask is given to me to block out the scent. It is the worst experience I ever endured. I have never been convicted of any offence in Antigua, and as recently as a few weeks ago, I was in Antigua.”
He added, “Furthermore, my rights as a native of an island within the OECS, being born in Dominica, was further infringed under the relevant regional [mechanisms] which govern members of the OECS regarding freedom of movement.”