Grenada's Prime Minister Criticizes New Amnesty Report on Trial in 1983 Co

[Judi Lynn]

Grenada's Prime Minister Criticizes New Amnesty Report on Trial in 1983 Coup Killings
By Desmond Brown Associated Press Writer
Published: Oct 23, 2003


ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) - The prime minister criticized a new report by Amnesty International on Thursday, which concluded that international standards were violated in the trial of 17 people convicted of killings in Grenada's 1983 coup.

In its 32-page report, Amnesty urged Granada's government to carry out an independent judicial review of the convictions. The report was released Thursday, two days before the 20th anniversary of a U.S. invasion on Oct. 25, 1983, that was prompted by the coup.

"They were not thorough in their assessment," Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said Thursday. "It's a sloppy piece of work. I do not feel that they spoke to enough people."

The report listed allegations including irregularities in jury selection, a denial of a competent and independent tribunal, lack of legal representation and allowing questionable evidence. It also questioned whether some defendants' confessions may have been obtained using torture. (snip/...)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAG3LQM5MD.html