7 News Belize

Police Go To Pick Up Prisoners
posted (October 3, 2018)
We now have an update on the 64 men detained under the state of emergency. At this hour, specialized police units have pulled up at the Belize Central prison to transfer the men back to Belize City. It appears they will be set free before midnight tonight.

Government did not extend the 30 day state of emergency - but this morning in Orange Walk Deputy Compol Williams did explain that it could have been extended to a year:..

Chester Williams- Deputy Commissioner of Police
"The public reaction to what was done has been excellent. As a matter of fact, people are clamoring for us to make recommendations to Cabinet so that the Cabinet can make resolutions to the house to pass a resolution to extend the state of emergency to another area. Now, the law does provide for that and in section 18 of the Belize constitution it clearly outlines that the Governor General can declare for 30 days and if there is need for an extension then it must be done by a resolution passed by the House of National Assembly. So, we are contemplating at this time whether or not we will seek that one year extension or if we will be looking to see if we can deal with some of the guys under the past gang legislation which falls under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act."

But, again, the state of emergency has not been extended and it appears that the 64 men detained under this state of emergency provision will be set free tonight after 30 days in detention. Our team is at the prison and we'll have the story tomorrow.

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