WEEKLY’S EDITOR DETAINED BY POLICE

WEEKLY’S EDITOR DETAINED BY POLICE

ON THE ORDERS OF STATE HOUSE???

Ralph Volcere, Editor of LNSW, detained by police for taking picture of the waiting room of the survey department.

Last week, Thursday, the Editor of this newspaper, ‘Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly’ was researching for an article. This included a visit to the Survey Mapping Division at the Ministry of Land Use and Habitat. On entering the offices of this department our Editor was shocked to discover the appalling conditions in which the staff are made to perform their daily tasks. He called the office of ‘Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly’ and got one of his colleagues to bring over a camera. They entered the Survey Department again and took a few pictures of the public area which featured on the back page in last week’s Issue.

The following day, Friday, 9th March, 2007, Mr. Volcere was in a meeting at around 10.30 am when his phone rang – He was informed that two police Inspectors were looking for him all over town, “it is urgent”, the police officers told his colleagues, “Volcere’s presence is required at the Central Police Station, immediately”, one of them said. Known State House undercover agents were seen around Premier Building, a couple were seen entering the building and one inquired from a security guard at the entrance of Premier Building if he had seen Volcere. Eventually the police officers ended up at the office of this newspaper and they were put through on the phone to speak to Mr. Volcere. An agreement was reached for Volcere to report at the Victoria Central Police Station at 12.30pm.

As agreed, Volcere accompanied by Attorney Anthony Juliette, kept his appointment with the officers at the Station. They were made to go to the CID section where Inspector Ron Marie assisted by a junior officer conducted the interview. From what could be gathered from the questioning - Inspector Marie was taking instructions from someone else, possibly the Commissioner of Police, Gerard Waye-Hive. This assumption was drawn on the basis that Inspector Marie had to leave the interview room at intervals of twenty minutes to go consult with someone.

The arrest of Volcere, (possibly sanctioned by State House), for questioning was based on a complaint made by the Minister of Land Use and Habitat, Mr. Joel Morgan. The plaint was that Volcere had entered the offices of the Minister without permission and had taken photographs without seeking the authority of the Minister; at least this was what the police communicated to Volcere and his Attorney. The Minister it seemed wanted to do a deal through the Police Commissioner with Volcere. They wanted Volcere to hand over the pictures with negatives. Volcere informed the officer that the pictures were taken using a digital camera and that there were no negatives. Even if copies of the photographs were given to the Police, ‘Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly’ will still have copies in its archive. At this stage Inspector Marie left the interview room again and was away consulting for another fifteen minutes.

On returning Inspector Marie was informed by Volcere that the photographs were being printed as they spoke on the back page of the newspaper to go out in the afternoon. Inspector Marie sat down again for a few more minutes pondering over their next move. Marie went out for a third time. This time he was away for longer and on coming back requested that he and another officer accompanied Volcere to the offices of the newspaper to collect copies of the offending pictures. Inspector Marie was given a CD with all the pictures taken at the Survey Division to take back to the Commissioner of Police. The public waiting room of a government department has now become the private abode of a Minister.

The above demonstrates that the motto “Without fear or favour” is mere lip service on the part of the Commissioner of Police and the Seychelles Police Force. Arbitrary arrest and detention is a one-party authoritarian State tool. It may serve during times of public disorder and strife. Such practice do not give the public confidence in the Police Force, it does not serve the preservation of law and order. Finally it has no place in protecting the rights of the individual, the protection of free speech, press freedom, freedom of information and transparency and accountability. Some animals are more equal than orders especially those who can abuse State funds and get those who are supposed to protect the state to do their dirty work.