Two charged for inciting ethnic tension

Two persons appeared before the courts charged with several offences related to inciting racial violence or tension. The two, John Gobin, Steve Anthony Barakat  were arraigned before city Magistrate Rhondel Weever on December 9th, the Ethnic Relations Commission said on Thursday. The ERC said that the commission through its lawyer Stanely Moore, SC had filed complaints in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court earlier in the month. The charges against the defendants included causing ethnic/racial violence or hatred and exciting hostility or ill-will on the basis of race the ERC said.

Gobin pleaded guilty and was fined $20,000. The Magistrate warned him not to repeat the offence or publish any similar material in the future, the ERC said. Barakat pleaded not guilty and was placed on $30,000 bail. His matter was adjourned to January 20, 2021 for trial. Meanwhile, a third person Lashona Chester was expected to be charged but could not be served despite vigorous attempts to locate her. The Magistrate ordered that steps be taken to summon her again and adjourned Chester’s matter to January 20, 2021 as well, the ERC said.