The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Tribune has formally applied to Royal Bahamas Defence Force to be allowed to cover the proceedings against marines accused of abusing Cuban detainees.

Although National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage last week said that all summary trials in connection with the matter were to be held behind closed doors, The Tribune was earlier told by a senior RBDF officer that Commodore Roderick Bowe would consider applications for reporters to attend the hearings.

In a letter faxed to Commodore Bowe yesterday, news editor Paco Nunez, said: “I write to request that a Tribune reporter be allowed to be present at and report on the ongoing proceedings against Defence Force officers alleged to have been involved in the abuse of Cuban detainees at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre in June of this year.

“We feel the level of attention attracted by the case over the past several months, and its implications for the international image of the Bahamas, have made this a matter of urgent public interest and one in which the Bahamian people have every right to expect transparency and full disclosure.

“To that end, The Tribune hereby formally applies for your permission to publish the full substance of the proceedings until their conclusion for the benefit of our readers.”

Up to press time, there was no response to the request from RBDF officials.