Facebook talk show host arrested over alleged derogatory video about Sports Minister
-gets $100,000 bail release
Social media talk show host Gavin Matthews was arrested yesterday and later released on $100,000 station bail following an allegation that he used his show to make derogatory remarks about Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr.
Matthews was arrested by police while he was engaged in a protest at the Square of the Revolution.
The Gavin Matthews Show host was broadcasting live on his Facebook page at the time of the arrest and filmed the encounter before he was told by the police to end the live while at the Brickdam Police Station.
In the video, which was seen by this newspaper, armed ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) approached Matthews and informed him that it was alleged that “on 25th March, 2021, at Georgetown, you used a computer system to publish a video on Facebook that is derogatory with intent to humiliate and embarrass or cause emotional distress to Charles Ramson Jr”. Matthews responded, “I don’t know of such”. He was then informed by the police that he would have to go to the police station as he was being arrested.
Matthews then continued to livestream as he was taken to the police station. While being transported to Brickdam, Matthews indicated to his viewers that he was being arrested about allegations relating to the Minister. He then went on to say that he and Ramson are not friends and that the arrest was a move to “shut me up”.
After his arrival at the police station, he was asked to turn off the live for the investigations to begin. However, he protested against turning off the live before eventually complying. The GPF later told the media that Matthews was released on $100,000 station bail as the investigations continue.
Stabroek News viewed the video that was uploaded to Matthews’ Facebook page on March 25, when the crime was allegedly committed. In the uploaded video, titled “You are still De facto and if you want to do Something about it just Resign”, Matthews criticised the PPP/C government and Ramson’s affiliation with the PPP/C, while making a series of allegations.
Efforts to contact both Matthews and the minister for comment were unsuccessful.
Matthews’ show, in which he engages in political commentary, is broadcast live on his Facebook page through which he interacts with his audience via live calls and comments on the videos.
Earlier this month Matthews claimed that he was abducted by unknown persons due to the content of his show.