From 118 to 49: Police Explain Who Stays Behind Bars Under SOE

At the start of the latest State of Emergency, police swept up one hundred and eighteen individuals for questioning. But now, only forty-nine remain behind bars at the Belize Central Prison, leaving many to wonder: what happened to the rest? Today, the Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado addressed that very question. He explained that while many were initially detained, not all had enough evidence against them to justify extended detention under the SOE.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“Individuals are just detained. We started with a hundred and eighteen individuals detained and after the extensive and rigorous interview only forty nine detention order was issued. If there is no merit or after we asses the material if there is no evidence for us to keep them longer they are released. The primary objective is to allow investigators to conduct their investigation without hindrance from the criminal elements and our main objective is to ensure we solve those violent crimes without any hindrance.”

 

Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado is yet to indicate if the state of emergency will be extended after the first month expires. We will continue to follow.