Dominican opposition leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine became the 25th person arrested in connection with a March 19 protest deemed an “unlawful assembly” under Dominica’s Riot Act. Fontaine was granted self-bail on Thursday after appearing in court.
Fontaine, leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), accompanied by his legal team, reported to Police Headquarters in Roseau earlier in the day, following a request from law enforcement. He was formally charged with participating in an unlawful assembly, the same indictable offense brought against 24 others in recent weeks.
Prosecutors did not oppose bail and did not seek any reporting conditions, but requested that Fontaine’s bail be granted with a surety. The defense objected, arguing that others charged in the same matter had been granted self-bail without additional requirements. The court ultimately agreed with the defense.
Before the ruling was handed down, the presiding magistrate cautioned Fontaine to refrain from making public comments on the matter, urging him to “let the judiciary deal with the matter.”
Prosecutors told the court that all 25 defendants would be grouped into a single case, scheduled to be heard by Senior Magistrate Michael Laudat on June 30. They asked for Fontaine’s case to be consolidated with the others.
In response, Fontaine’s attorneys signaled their intention to file for Magistrate Laudat’s recusal, should the cases be joined.
The arrests stem from a protest held on March 19, which authorities have labeled an unlawful gathering. Opposition figures, however, have described the arrests as politically motivated and an attempt to silence dissent.
