LINSOD Denounces Jungle Style Incarceration Of Arise Ghana Demonstrators

Pro-democracy group of legal practitioners, Lawyers In Search Of Democracy (LINSOD), has condemned the mass arrest of demonstrators who took part in the Arise Ghana demonstration and their subsequent detention in Police custody in what it says is clear abuse of their rights.

In a statement signed by Spokesperson, Lawyer Chris Arcmann Ackumey, LINSOD condemned the Police’ refusal to allow Lawyers access to the arrestees saying it is a fundamental abuse of their right to attorneys.

“…Several lawyers have tried to gain access to the persons being held by the Police but have been denied access simply because there is an “order from above”, clearly in contravention of articles 14 & 15 of the 1992 Constitution,” the group stated.

“Lawyers In Search Of Democracy (LINSOD) denounce this unconstitutional act by the Police and condemn it in its entirety. We demand of the IGP to immediately order his men to allow persons being in custody to have access to Lawyers.”

The demonstration by Arise Ghana turned violent when the Police refused the demonstrators’ request to use a particular route claiming it had secured a court order against using that particular route.

However, the demonstrators had also pointed out that they had secured a stay of execution. In an ensuing confrontation, the Police used water cannons and tear gas on the demonstrators who also responded with stones.

The Police then arrested over 40 of the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, some of the arrested protestors have been released on bail.