Gajraj sues TV station, talk show host for libel





HOME Affairs Minister, Mr. Ronald Gajraj has sued NBTV Channel 9 and talk show host Mr. Lorri Alexander for alleged libel against him on the programme `Guyana the way forward' broadcast on October 28 last.
In an action filed in the High Court on Friday, the minister is seeking damages in excess of $1M for libel and an injunction restraining the defendants from repeating the libel.

Justice Mr. B.S. Roy, in chambers on Friday, granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants from publishing, among other claims, that the minister had provided `safe houses' for criminals and that illegal weapons, arms and ammunition found during a Police operation in Georgetown last week belonged to Gajraj.

The matter is due to come up before the judge on November 12.

Gajraj says the defendants have also alleged that he had failed to perform his duties and to fulfill his responsibilities as Minister of Home Affairs and that he had fled the country when he was needed in his capacity as Minister of Home Affairs.

The minister claims that the libel against him was committed on the live programme and says he caused the programme to be recorded.

He says words used on the programme were "intended to mean and were understood to mean: that I am involved in criminal activity, that I house and/or provide safety and/or safe houses for criminals, that unlawful and illegal weapons, arms and ammunition found by the Police in the execution of their duty belong to me."

According to Gajraj, on another programme on October 31 on the same TV station, Alexander refused to apologise for his "mis-statements".

The minister says he fears that from Alexander's attitude, "he will continue to libel me".

"I categorically state that there is no basis for any of the allegations and accusations being made against me", he says.

In his affidavit in support of his application for an interim injunction against the defendants, Gajraj says he believes that Alexander "has embarked on a campaign to smear my good character and to bring my office of Minister of Home Affairs into disrepute thereby undermining the public confidence in the officers of the Guyana Police Force over whom I have responsibility...and additionally thereby undermining the public confidence in the Government of Guyana of which I am a part."

"I further believe that should the Respondents/Defendants be allowed to continue with such publications, not only will the public confidence in the Guyana Police Force and the Government of Guyana be adversely affected but also the morale of each and every Police Officer of the Guyana Police Force will be likewise affected", he adds.

The minister lives in Lamaha Gardens and during a major operation in the area last week, Police reported finding an arsenal of heavy weapons, `channa bombs', grenades, `walkie talkies' and cell phones, among other items in two `safe' houses used by bandits they said were central to the crime wave that has gripped the country over the last seven months.

Seven persons died in separate shooting incidents Monday, including Dale Moore and Mark Fraser, two wanted dangerous criminals.

Police Commissioner Floyd McDonald, at a news conference, said that based on Monday's findings the Police are facing "a serious problem".

He said that the possession of `channa bombs' (bottle bombs) by the bandits is an indication of the level of operations which the Police have faced over the past seven months.

Referring to the sniper weapon found among the cache discovered in the Lamaha Gardens `safe house', McDonald pointed out that this was not the work of ordinary criminals.

He added that the Police were continuing their efforts in a bid to have all the persons in what may be a "seemingly large gang" brought to justice.

November 3, 2002