Why After 12 Years, Formal Charges Filed Against ReA Leader?

Ashok Subron, the leader of Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA), arrived at the Port-Louis Court on Thursday, September 19, 2024, where he faced formal charges related to a peaceful protest organized by the Forum for the Republic in March 2012.

His indictment, which was read by Magistrate Prashant Bissoon, stems from accusations that he failed to comply with police orders during the demonstration.

While the protest itself was deemed legal, law enforcement officials claim that some participants, including Subron, exceeded the designated protest area and refused to follow police instructions.

In addition to Subron, three other individuals—Serge Jauffret, Devianand Narain, and Sandiren Ramasamy—are also facing charges and will go to trial, with their case scheduled for October 3.

Emerging from the courtroom, Subron questioned, “Why after 12 years?”

He recounted a conversation he had with a police officer the previous day, who instructed him to appear at the Curepipe court to respond to the formal charge.

Subron noted that he had not yet received full details regarding the charge and stated that the ReA members would consult their legal counsel to determine their next steps.

He criticized the police’s actions, highlighting that the other three accused had been facing court proceedings since last year.

“It’s serious that the police have now decided to summon me to court. At that time, there were no orders.

Everything depends on the instructions given to the police!” he stated, implying that there is an ongoing strategy of persecution against regime opponents by certain factions of the police.

Subron also speculated whether the timing of his formal charges is connected to his recent confirmation as a candidate in the Port-Louis North/Montagne-Longue constituency (No. 4) under the banner of L’alliance du Changement.

Seizing the moment, he urged Mauritians to resist any political provocations during the election campaign.

Reflecting on the 2012 protest, Subron asserted that its purpose was to unveil a new vision for the Republic, which would incorporate environmental rights into the Constitution and acknowledge workers’ rights.

“The protest was against Navin Ramgoolam in 2012, and twelve years later, we are now confronting the Pravind Jugnauth regime!” he concluded.

Source: Le Mauricien