SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Authorities in Jamaica have taken the uncommon step of charging a police officer with homicide after he was accused of fatally taking pictures a 45-year-old lady in a case that has prompted violent protests.
The officer appeared in courtroom on Wednesday and was denied bail. One other listening to is scheduled for mid-June.
Safety forces in Jamaica have lengthy been accused of illegal killings and utilizing extreme pressure, with the island’s Unbiased Fee of Investigations reporting 140 deadly shootings up to now this 12 months on the island of two.8 million folks.
The killing of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin on Might 17 in northwest Jamaica sparked violent protests, with residents within the city of Granville demanding justice.
Native media reported that Bulgin was serving to manage an indication over the latest police killing of a 17-year-old boy recognized as her cousin.
No physique digicam was worn by the police officer accused of taking pictures Bulgin whereas she was in her automotive, however the Individuals’s Nationwide Social gathering Girls’s Motion, a political group, stated in an announcement that CCTV footage “raises severe questions on using deadly pressure by members of the safety forces.”
The group additionally stated it was “disturbing” how Bulgin’s physique was thrown into the again of a police automobile after she was shot.
“This conduct falls under the respect that ought to be afforded to our residents by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Pressure,” the group stated in an announcement.
The Inter American Fee of Human Rights has denounced Bulgin’s killing, urging “a immediate, unbiased, neutral and clear inquiry.”
