Oliver Hinckson has been detained in the United States for an interview with that country’s Homeland Security officials.
Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes informed Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday that his client had been granted permission by Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang to leave the jurisdiction for “health purposes”.
According to Hughes, he had made an application to Justice Chang seeking permission for Hinckson to leave the country to seek medical assistance in the USA since he suffered from a heart condition. The order was granted on November 12, Hughes said, and his client departed the following day.
The attorney apologized for Hinckson’s absence at yesterday’s proceedings.
According to Hughes, when Hinckson arrived in the US his passport and ‘Green Card’ (Permanent Resident Card) were seized by Homeland Security. The reason for this, Hughes explained, was because his client had not travelled to the US for a lengthy period of time.
While the attorney acknowledged that he did not possess professional knowledge on US immigration matters he said he understood that once issued a ‘Green Card’ the holder must be present in the US for approximately 183 days each year. Hinckson failed to do so because of his recent incarceration.
The lawyer explained that Homeland Security could call upon the ‘Green Card’ holder, who failed to meet this requirement, to provide reasons why the card should not be revoked or to account for the extended absence.
Hinckson will be interviewed by Homeland Secu-rity officials on December 13, Hughes said, when it would be decided whether Hinckson would be allowed to keep his ‘Green Card’. He would be able to return to Guyana after keeping that appointment.
Further, Hughes reported that he is also awaiting Justice Chang’s decision on a second application which he filed seeking an extension of the original time granted to Hinckson.
Homeland Security documents were submitted with the application and an affidavit in support of these documents, which Hughes said he swore to himself, attached.
Special State Prosecutor, Sanjeev Datadin, was absent from yesterday’s proceedings and Hughes requested that a court date be set for report on the continuation of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the advocating a terrorist act matter.
His application was subsequently granted and December 19 was set for report. Hughes is to submit copies of his High Court application to the magistrate before this date.
Meanwhile, on October 16, Acting Chief Magistrate Robertson had ruled that the notes from the diary of Detective Corporal Suraj Singh were inadmissible as evidence in the PI into the advocating a terrorist act charge against Hinckson.
Datadin had applied to the court for an adjournment after the magistrate had given her ruling.
He had stated that he would need time to decide whether the remaining evidence to be given by Singh, his last witness in the PI, would be admissible.
However, lead defence attorney Hughes told the court that “it appears as if the [prosecution’s] case is so challenged that they may need some time to decide whether or not they should discontinue the matter”. If that was the case, Hughes said, the defence would have no objection to the adjournment.
After further discussion, during which the magistrate suggested that Datadin take a few minutes to sort out his next course of action, the request was granted and the matter adjourned to October 21.
However, there were no proceedings on that date and the matter was adjourned to yesterday’s date.
Hinckson was charged on March 11 with advocating the commission of a terrorist act and uttering seditious statements.
The second charge stemmed from a statement he made during a press conference at City Hall.
Being “SANDHURST TRAINED” the U. S. Government should consider drafting Mr. Hinckson (and others like him) to work for one of its Intelligence Services particularly now the Fourth Fleet has been reestablished to among other things – help stem the tide of the illicit drug trafficking into the United States from countries such as Guyana.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=36606
hmp Maybe they might………but i dont think they will!
Homeland Security will toughen its stance because of this recession. Look for a war on illegal immigration when jobs become scarce. I hope this man gets some treatment rather than be returned to Guyana to perish but it brings me to the issue of Guyanese not taking the question of citizenship seriously. There is a sizeable group of immigrants who never apply for citizenship although they will qualify. Not saying that this is Hinckson’s situation but if he had the opportunity he should have taken it.
Mr. Hinckson needs to come “clean” with Homeland Security. People with Green Cards cannot afford to have it both ways. They want to enjoy the benefits of America by not working and paying taxes and still living in GY. DHS should revoke his Green Card as a lesson to others.
…….do you know his age ………..before expressing you views why not get with the ffacts…….please find out hinckson’s age……and then talk free…..
…….and for everyone out there home land security run things…….the department is in every hamlet and every hole to root out them who whodon’t like the us…….hs run things …….
Hinckson is 65 years now………..
Some one seem to be upset by my previous post! Was it the question of Hinckson meeting with Homeland Security, or was it the thought of ‘Change coming to Guyana?’
What is wrong with you people? In the United States one can say almost anything! Why are you guys telling people about democracy in Guyana?
Based on hearsay, Hinckson passport is blue!
Hinkson an innocent man was held for that lenght of time so that he would lose his status,he will not have the opportunity to do a lot of talking in New York like Mark Benscop,because he will not be able to return to the US,and some people will say he has joined those who had their visas revoked…Ha nice try…that plan will fail!!
he did had the opportunity but he always said that he loved guyana and wanted to contribute to his country, They have now shortened the months to 6 that you can stay out of the US with a green card. Oliver will be fine, the US authorites know that he was unjustly incarcerated.
I’ve been looking at these blogs for some time without submitting one of my own. One thing that bothers me is, with 85% sureness, I can tell the race of a blogger just by the tone of the comments. I see guys going all the way back to Burnham and Jagan to justify one bad behavior by pointing to another. Com’on guys, we are smarter than that This generation don’t even know and don’t care who Burnham was. So, lets leave those two sons of the soil out. They did their part its time for us to do the same. By the way Tiger, I totally agree with you bro.
You have said; and, to repeat what your complete statement; Re: “I’ve been looking at these blogs for some time without submitting one of my own. One thing that bothers me is, with 85% sureness, I can tell the race of a blogger just by the tone of the comments. I see guys going all the way back to Burnham and Jagan to justify one bad behavior by pointing to another. Com’on guys, we are smarter than that This generation don’t even know and don’t care who Burnham was. So, lets leave those two sons of the soil out. They did their part its time for us to do the same. By the way Tiger, I totally agree with you bro”. Well, the same can be said about Frederick Douglas; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many, many other African-American leaders who have gone before us. And, you know what they have said…. A people who do not know their history, do not know where they are would not know where they are going; and, that is why it is important to know from whence we came.
thanks mike.
Once A Soldier Always A Soldier; And, Once A Banker Always A Banker. And, They Just Do Not Die – They Simply Fade Away! 8-)
What about Criminals Kaieteur?.
Hinkson loves Guyana, therefore he don’t need a gfreen Card, this is the problem, with the US, they give rights to people who don’t need, it, as for innoncent like benchschof????????????????
My point in this is not our history, its justifying one bad action by pointing to another. Hey…. you may understand what I’m getting at.