By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The Association of Defence Attorneys (ADA) is raising serious concerns about what it describes as a growing pattern of unlawful detentions by the Belize Police Department, particularly in Belize City and San Ignacio.
In a statement dated October 22, the association accused police of using the Constitution’s 48-hour detention limit to repeatedly hold individuals without sufficient legal justification.
Association Secretary Orson Elrington said the concerns stem from numerous cases reported by defence attorneys rather than one isolated incident.
According to Elrington, some individuals are being detained for questioning, released and subsequently detained again in connection with different suspected offences.
The practice, which attorneys describe as “cycling,” allegedly allows police to repeatedly detain individuals without formally charging them.
Elrington explained that the constitutional 48-hour limit represents the maximum permissible period of detention without charges, not automatic authorization to hold someone for the entire period.
He alleged that police sometimes detain individuals for questioning about robbery, release them and then detain them again in connection with murder or suspected gang membership.
The association argues that such practices may amount to arbitrary detention and undermine constitutional protections.
The ADA has appealed directly to Prime Minister John Briceño, National Security Minister Michel Chebat and Commissioner of Police Dr. Anthony Rosado.
Its demands include immediate and private access to legal representation, prompt release when detention is no longer legally justified, investigations into alleged violations and disciplinary action where warranted.
The association is also calling for a nationwide policy to prevent unlawful detention.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the account provided does not include a response from police leadership.
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By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The Association of Defence Attorneys (ADA) is raising serious concerns about what it describes as a growing pattern of unlawful detentions by the Belize Police Department, particularly in Belize City and San Ignacio. In a statement dated October 22, the association accused police of using the Constitution’s 48-hour detention
The post Defence attorneys accuse Belize police of repeatedly detaining suspects without charges appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
