Opposition Calls for Public Mobilisation After Police Summon Party Leader
Supporters of the opposition United Progressive Party are being urged to mobilise publicly after police issued a summons to Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle in connection with an investigation into the burning of Antigua Public Utilities Authority materials at Old Road.
In a statement circulated to supporters, the party accused the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda of acting under political influence, alleging that Police Commissioner had complied with instructions from Prime Minister Gaston Browne by summoning Pringle for questioning.
The opposition said the matter has “nothing to do” with Pringle and insisted there is no evidence linking him to the incident. The statement characterised the summons as an act of political persecution and accused the government of victimising its critics.
Calling the planned mobilisation “Freedom Day,” party supporters were urged to turn out in large numbers to protest what they described as the politicisation of the police force and to demand an end to what they claim is intimidation of opposition figures.
Police have not publicly commented on the opposition’s allegations. Authorities have previously maintained that summonses issued during investigations do not amount to arrests and are a routine part of the investigative process.
The fire at Old Road, which destroyed APUA materials linked to ongoing works, remains under investigation. No charges have been announced.
