BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING the more than 12-hour detention of BuzzMaker’s President, Matthew McMillan, the company is now taking legal action over what it claims was a “politically motivated detention”.
McMillan was recently arrested at the RLB International airport on his way out of the Federation.
SKNVibes understands that McMillan was in the Federation undertaking preparatory work on Nevis for the December 18th Elections – as his international political consultancy is working with the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP).
“The legal action will relate to the politically motivated detention of its President, Matthew McMillan, on Monday, 4 December 2017. Mr. McMillan was arrested and detained without charge for 12 hours at the Basseterre Central Police Station. He was released at 8 pm on Monday,” a statement released to the media stated.
The arrest stemmed from a report that was recently made about a drone found flying over premises of Leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) and Deputy Premier, Mark. Brantley.
Police on Nevis informed of the drone incident, noting that they are investigating a report made by Sharon Brantley, wife of Deputy Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, “that an unmanned drone was spotted hovering feet away over their family home in Montpelier”.
“As a result, police began their investigations and US citizen, Matthew MacMillan, was held for questioning regarding the matter. He was released late Monday. The Police will continue to take seriously all reports of harassment and threats of harassment made by citizens and residents of Nevis. The police are, therefore, asking the public and, especially operators of drones, to act responsibly so that the safety and security of all citizens and residents is maintained.
According to BuzzMaker’s statement, the details of the legal action will be announced and released shortly.
The company lashed out at the government over what he claimed as "abuse of power".
"I will be taking legal action to send a message to all people whom government have victimized that you have rights and you have a voice. Some politicians may be rich and powerful, but, they are not above the law." said Matthew McMillan.
He continued: “It is certainly concerning to the regional and international community when a government makes a politically motivated detention without charge. It is a sign that democracy is backsliding, and it sends a troubling message to international investors, tourists and governments that St. Kitts/Nevis is not a place that respects political speech and that punishes political opponents with improper detentions.”
Against that backdrop, he pointed out that the legal action “is about protecting the freedom of speech and political opinion in the Federation of St. Kitts/Nevis and sending a clear message that no matter how rich you are and no matter how powerful you are, you are not above the law."
