The Office of the Public Defender in Jamaica says it is making arrangements to file legal action against the State on behalf of residents of West Kingston who were affected by the May 2010 security forces operation to arrest Christopher “Dudus” Coke, known as the Tivoli Incursion. At least 70 people, including one police officer and two members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) were killed and more than 4,000 others detained during the operations. The assault prompted the declaration of a state of emergency in Kingston and the biggest mobilization of the security forces in Jamaican history.
Public Defender Arlene Harrison-Henry says the legal proceedings will begin within the next four weeks and appealed to people who were affected by the security operations to urgently contact her office.
Coke, who was extradited to the United States, pleaded guilty in September 2011 to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. The former Tivoli Gardens strongman is serving a 23-year prison sentence in the US. The final report from the three-member West Kingston Commission of Enquiry is due next month.
