Is Louis Zabaneh and Yellowman’s Row a Civil Matter?

On Friday, P.U.P. Dangriga Standard Bearer, Doctor Louis Zabaneh filed a complaint against macebearer Brian ‘Yellow Man’ Audinette, whom he claims repeatedly called him a thief during the sitting of the House of Representatives.  That report was given to Belmopan police who subsequently briefed ComPol Chester Williams on what purportedly took place.  The report itself mentions the threat of Zabaneh being physically removed from the house, and he has since indicated that he will be pursuing legal action against Audinette.  But how did the Commissioner of Police treat the matter?  On Wednesday, ComPol Williams told the media about the briefing he received from his officers.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“What I was briefed about was that Mr. Zabaneh had reported that Mr. Audinette had called him a thief in the house and that he had asked Mr. Audinette why is he calling him a thief and Mr. Audinette constantly saying to him that he is a thief.  I have not been briefed on anything to say that Mr. Audinette had threatened to cause bodily harm to Mr. Zabaneh.  So the fact that I was briefed that he was alleging that Mr. Audinette called him a thief, I said that is not a matter for the police, that will be a civil matter.  If it is that Mr. Zabaneh feels that his character is being defamed by Mr. Audinette calling him a thief then that is not something for the police to deal with.”