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St Catherine, Jamaica – Fashionable social media character Milton Wray, identified to his on-line followers as “119,” was arrested on Tuesday and charged with malicious communication underneath the Cybercrimes Act. The cost stems from two social media posts allegedly directed at a lady from a St Catherine deal with.
Wray, a former journalist, was taken into custody by the Spanish City Felony Investigative Department (CIB). He was later granted station bail within the quantity of $400,000 and is scheduled to seem within the St Catherine Parish Court docket on Might 12.
The controversial case has sparked public debate over freedom of speech and the interpretation of Jamaica’s just lately amended Cybercrimes Act. Wray, chatting with reporters following his launch, questioned the idea for his arrest.
“I begged them to inform me what phrases in my put up amounted to ‘malicious communication’. The officer replied, ‘that’s why there’s a judicial system – that will likely be revealed in courtroom,’” he stated.
The TikToker has vowed to problem the cost within the constitutional courtroom, calling it “a brand new low” and an try by authorities to suppress the voices of on a regular basis Jamaicans. “I’m looking for a keep on the matter pending a problem. This legislation, in my opinion, is patently unconstitutional and infringes dangerously on the Constitution of Basic Rights and Freedoms,” Wray acknowledged.
In accordance with investigators, the cost pertains to posts allegedly made by Wray a few younger lady, who subsequently filed a criticism with the Spanish City CIB. Nevertheless, Wray insists the content material was neither threatening nor obscene, and that it was not supposed to harass.
“This complete factor is ridiculous,” he stated. “I didn’t threaten anybody, and the put up wasn’t obscene. The state is simply making an attempt to suppress my constitutional rights to freedom of speech.”
Part 9 of the Cybercrimes Act outlines penalties for utilizing digital platforms to ship threatening, harassing, or defamatory content material. Offenders can face fines and imprisonment of as much as 20 years.
Wray maintains his innocence and views the cost as a calculated try and silence his social media advocacy. “It’s horrifying {that a} legislation in Jamaica permits police to arrest a citizen merely for relating their expertise,” he stated.
Lately, malicious communication expenses have grow to be more and more widespread, usually linked to the web posting of express content material with out consent. Nevertheless, Wray contends that the legislation is being misapplied in his case and is assured that the courtroom will vindicate him.
The matter has renewed requires public schooling round digital rights, free expression, and the authorized boundaries of on-line communication in Jamaica.
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