The State has been slapped with a $450M lawsuit by the relatives of the three Linden men who lost their lives in 2012 during a protest against electricity rate hikes in the mining town.
The men – Ron Somerset, Shemroy Bouyea and Allan Lewis – were all shot dead on July 18, 2012, at the Wismar Mackenzie Bridge during a standoff with protestors and ranks from the Joint Services.
Lindeners were at the time protesting the decision made by the former administration to increase the electricity tariff from $5 per kilowatt to $65
A five-member Commission of Inquiry found the Guyana Police Force culpable because there was no evidence that anyone else than the Police fired shots at the time, however, no individual rank was named responsible.
Several civilians, including those who were wounded, had testified to seeing police ranks shooting into the crowd that had gathered near the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge.
Following the findings of the Inquiry, relatives of Lewis and Bouyea were awarded $3 million, while relatives of Somerset, who was 18 when he died, received $1M.
In the lawsuit filed by Attorney-at-law Darren Wade, the relatives are making an application for a declaration that the right to life and the fundamental right to liberty of the three men were breached, encroached upon and infringed by the State.
They are also seeking another declaration that the Police were reckless and used unnecessary force in the killing of the three men.
Further, they are seeking another declaration that the Police, in not providing any medical aid or support after firing the gunshots, caused the men to suffer and eventually die, treatment that would be considered inhumane and degrading punishment.
The three families are claiming in excess of $100M each for the breach and contravention of the fundamental rights to life and $50M each for the inhumane and degrading treatment suffered by their relatives.
The application will be heard on February 25, 2020, before Justice Franklyn Holder at the Victoria Law Court. The Attorney General Basil Williams is listed as the respondent in the matter.
