The police are seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detainment of a young man seen on video spewing disparaging comments about Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
The man, who has since been identified as Shaquille O’Neal Higgins, could be heard in the video hurling expletives at Holness, following his announcement of tighter COVID-19 measures.
Higgins was seemingly upset, following the announcement of an adjustment to the nightly curfew hours.
Two subsequent videos were later released of the man being detained at what appeared to be his home and later put before a camera to apologise to Holness.
He was ordered to do so in the presence of the police.
However, the police are denying that Higgins was detained because of his comments.
In a series of tweets linked to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s account, the public was told that Higgins was arrested for larceny dwelling.
“The Jamaica Constabulary Force has taken note of concern expressed following the circulation of videos on social media involving a man who was allegedly seen making statements about the Jamaican prime minister and later being taken into custody by the police.
“It is a fact that the gentleman; Shaquille O’Neal Higgins was taken into custody by the St Ann Police on July 27, 2021. Many persons have drawn a nexus between him being taken into custody and Mr Higgins’ production of the viral video.
“Persons have drawn the mistaken conclusion to that Higgins was taken into custody because of his calumnious remarks. The facts are that Shaquille Higgins was taken into custody as a suspect in relation to a case of larceny dwelling, committed on the 24th of July, 2021 against a 45-year-old woman of Moneague, St Ann.
“Investigators were alerted to Higgins’ location by his own declarations, which immediately went viral on social media. The constabulary would like to reiterate the fact that all citizens in our democratic society enjoy wide ranging rights and liberties, including freedom of speech. However, those rights and liberties come with responsibilities and implications,” the tweets read.
