The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has put together a powerful legal team of lawyers involving two former Attorney-Generals to defend its interest in the fast-unfolding "Police Spy Case " involving members of the Special Branch headed by Superintendent, Anthony De Gale.
The team includes Dr. Francis Alexis, who served under the 1990-95 Congress government, and Lloyd Noel, who held the post in 1979 under the People's Revolutionary Government (PRG).
NDC executive members apprehended a junior member of the Special Branch last week Tuesday night as he was secretly tape-recording a private meeting of its National Executive being held at the party's head office on Lucas Street, St. George's.
Police officer, 77 Kelon Noel who is from St. Patrick's but lives at Springs, St. George's was caught in the act and eventually handed over to a member of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Royal Grenada Police Force.
The detained officer allegedly "confessed" to NDC officials under interrogation that he was sent on the "spying" mission by Supt. De Gale.
The RGPF has since launched an investigation into the spying incident.
The investigation is being spearheaded by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the force itself.
Police have already taken statements from several executive members of Congress including GRENADA TODAY Reporter, Wayne Modeste.
The other NDC members to have been interviewed were, Sylvester Quarless, the NDC Candidate for St. Andrew South West Constituency, Senator Arley Gill, Joseph Gilbert, the NDC Candidate for St. Patrick West, Devon Romain of St. Andrew South-west, Wilby Stuart of St. George South east and Deputy Chairman of the Party, Ferron Lowe who is an attorney at-law.
The questioning followed claims by the detained police officer that he was beaten by the NDC members and held against his free will while on the "spying" expedition.
The NDC have consistently maintained that their officials were effecting a "citizen's arrest" of the intruding police officer and held onto him in the process of recovering the tape that he had in his possession of their private meeting.
In speaking to GRENADA TODAY, its reporter Wayne Modeste said that he inquired of the lead CID investigator, Detective Inspector Kenneth Gill what was the nature of the line of questioning that he was wanted to do with him.
Gill informed Modeste that the investigation is two-fold, to enquire into the report of the spying, and the alleged beating of the police spy.
There was tension in Downtown St. George's on Saturday when Sen. Gill, a lawyer himself was brought into the CID Office for questioning, by his attorneys, Dr. Alexis and Anselm Clouden of GRENLAW Chambers.
Moments before at the law chambers, Dr. Alexis told reporters that the lawyers were considering the possibility of filing a constitutional motion with respect to the right of political parties to assemble without interference by the State.
He said the Constitution of Grenada guarantees the right to freedom of association and assembly, including the right for political parties to meet lawfully and have private discussions.
"There is nothing in the Constitution or the Laws of Grenada which enables the State to send its agents, surreptitiously, to tape the proceedings of a private meeting of a political party in this country", he said."We therefore, hope that the State is properly investigating what appears to be on the surface, clearly an infringement on the right of the National Democratic Congress, and indeed, all other political parties in this country to meet privately and have legitimate discussions among themselves, far from the preying eyes and tape recorders and cameras of agents of the State," he added.
Alexis, the leader of People's Labour Movement (PLM) indicated that while he does not support the Congress Party, he believes in respect for the rights of all people in Grenada to enjoy the rights enshrined for them under the Constitution.
As Sen. Gill and his team of lawyers were making their way to CID office on Hillsborough Street in St. George's, a large crowd gathered outside the building voicing condemnation of the
approach being taken by the police to question NDC Officials over claims made by Noel that he was beaten.
The crowd openly called for Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell and his New National Party (NNP) government to immediately demit office."Who sent you", "Who sent you", the crowd screamed out.
This was one of the questions which the NDC officials had posed to Officer Noel when he was captured "spying" on their meeting.
The police apparently despatched the Rapid Response Unit around CID to monitor the crowd but members of the unit but
left moments later without intervening.
Shortly afterwards, a team of Police Officers led by Inspector Julien of Central Police Station on the Carenage arrived and continued to monitor the situation.
In addition, a member of the CID was placed in front of the doorway to prevent any unauthorised person from entering the building while other CID Officers could be spotted looking out of windows and scoping the crowd down below.
Dr. Alexis emerged from the building to address the gathering, appealing for calm and not to do anything stupid since this is what the NNP regime wanted. "That is what they (the NNP Administration) want. They want to provoke uprising in the country. Do not disturb the order. That is exactly what they are trying to do, to provoke trouble in the country," Dr. Alexis said.
Last week, the GRENADA TODAY warned in its editorial that Grenadians should be cautious and not do anything that would play into the hands of Dr. Mitchell and NNP who would be inclined to declare a state of emergency and hold onto power.
The paper suggested that the Grenadian leader wants to remain in office in order to avoid prosecution in the United States in a case brought against him by a wealthy businessman from boston.
A judge in New York has granted Dr. Mitchell "immunity" from prosecution as long as he remains in power.
