WESTERN BUREAU:
THE NATIONAL Association of Taxi Operators (NATO) has given a commitment to provide legal help, if needed, when the case involving senior citizens David Bacchas and Cecil Brown, who were killed in a controversial police shooting, in Flankers, back in 2003, goes before the courts.
"We have a victims support fund that will be offering financial assistance to the families. However, where legal representation is concerned, the families already have their own legal team and NATO does not want to infringe on that, but if there is a need for additional representation, we are more than willing to assist." said Edgerton Newman, spokesman for NATO.
Following almost two years of indecision, during which time residents of Flankers vented their frustration at the slow pace of the investigations, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ruled last week that six policemen, who were involved in the shooting, should be charged with two counts of murder each and one count of shooting with intent.
Mr. Newman said that NATO, of which Mr. Bacchas was a member, was very happy with the ruling by the DPP. However, he said he was concerned about rumours that some of the policemen, who are to be charged, have left the island.
DETERMINING WHEREABOUTS
"We need to know whether their (the policemen) travel documents have been seized or if they are back on duty," said Mr. Newman. "We want to know where these persons are at this time."
Mr. Bacchas, a 63-year-old taxi operator, and Mr. Brown, a 66-year-old newspaper vendor, were shot and killed in Flankers in the early morning of Saturday, October 25, 2003, in what the police initially said was a shoot-out. Audrey Stephens, another senior citizen, who was a passenger in the car, was also shot and injured.
