A Georgetown teen was granted bail this week as the courts continue to process dozens of individuals charged with terrorism-related offences following a recent surge of unrest and public disorder across the country.
Eighteen-year-old Emmanuel James, a construction worker of Independence Boulevard, La Penitence, was among those charged in connection with the violent incidents that erupted in late April. James faced charges of terrorism and break and enter, allegedly committed during the chaos on Hunter Street, Albouystown. Prosecutors accused him of breaking into a business and stealing goods valued at $500,000, in addition to participating in acts that threatened public safety.
During his bail hearing before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, James’s attorney argued that he had no prior convictions, a fixed address, and no direct evidence linking him to the alleged offences. The prosecution, however, maintained that video evidence existed. After considering the submissions, the court granted James bail in the sum of $450,000.
James is not alone in facing such charges. In the aftermath of the unrest, more than 40 individuals—including several other young men—were brought before the courts, accused of looting, arson, and acts of terrorism that left businesses damaged and communities shaken. Many were initially remanded, but a number have since been granted bail, often after arguments regarding their health, financial circumstances, or lack of prior criminal history.
The recent wave of terrorism charges stems from widespread protests and violence that followed the controversial death of a child, which quickly escalated into riots, looting, and arson in Georgetown and surrounding regions. The Guyana Police Force, relying on surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts, has arrested over 100 people in connection with the incidents.
Authorities have underscored the seriousness of the charges, noting that convictions for terrorism can result in lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. As the legal process unfolds, the courts continue to weigh the gravity of the offences against the rights and circumstances of the accused, with public attention fixed on how justice will be served in these unprecedented cases.
