BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Feb. 26.2018 – THE Government has asked for an extension of time to locate an expert witness in the case challenging Dr. Denzil Douglas’ eligibility to sit in the National Assembly, as an elected representative.
The case, which was brought by the Attorney General’s Chambers in January, was scheduled to be heard in the High Court this morning but was adjourned until April 20.
Dr. Douglas, who is the leader of the opposition in St. Kitts and Nevis, is alleged to have a Diplomatic Passport for Dominica and to hold citizenship of that country, as is stated within the travel document.
The Government contends that he has dual citizenship and is thus ineligible to sit in the Assembly.
But Dr. Douglas has assured that he has no citizenship for Dominica nor any other country.
Lawyer for the defendant, Sylvester Anthony told SKNVibes News that they have filed responding documents in expectation of today’s hearing, but the claimants asked for additional time to file responding materials to the affidavits that the defendants put forward.
However, the defendants sought more time from the court to reply in the event that new evidence is introduced in the responding material.
“That being said, they have asked for leave to apply for an expert witness. We have also indicated that we would want an opportunity to either file together with them or separate for the expert witness.
“The expert witness of course will speak on the issue of Dominican law. So, what has happened, is that with all of these days set; the matter is now set to be heard with all of the applications on April 20,” Anthony said.
According to the attorney, within the documents that they filed, they have definitively answered the issue of whether Dr. Douglas holds citizenship for Dominica.
He warned the media not to get caught in a trap of whether Dr. Douglas has a passport.
“Our position is: Dr. Douglas does not, never had and never applied for Dominican citizenship. These are questions that the St. Kitts and Nevis Government could have
answers to just by writing to the Government of Dominica.”
He pointed out that since the matter was filed they wrote and got a response from the Dominican government on the matter.
The answers, according to Anthony, has been filed in the documents that were submitted to the court.
