Treason trial delayed for Guyana talk show host

Sunday, October 12, 2003

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The trial for a talk show host charged with treason in Guyana has been delayed by a series of motions by other inmates waiting for their cases to be heard, AP reported last night.

Mr. Mark Benschop, who was being held without bail, has pleaded innocent and said he believes the case is politically motivated. He is accused along with former opposition legislator, Mr. Phillip Bynoe, of trying to overthrow the government by allegedly inciting a group of protesters to storm President Bharrat Jagdeo's office compound on 3rd July 2002.

Mr. Benschop's trial was due to begin last Tuesday but eight inmates awaiting murder and armed robbery trials in separate cases have filed motions in High Court saying an early hearing into Mr. Benschop's case would further delay theirs.

Justice Jainarine Singh spent most of the week hearing motions from defense lawyers for the eight men who also want their names to be on the docket for the October sessions of the High Court. 

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