Brouta lawyer intends
to sue Gendarmerie
~ Support committee to be formed ~
MARIGOT-- Harry Durimel, the lawyer representing Eugene Brouta, the local man whose encounter with three Gendarmes sparked a mini-riot in French Quarter last week Tuesday, said Wednesday he would be suing the Gendarmerie for the treatment Brouta had received at the hands of the Gendarmes.
Brouta (37) was allegedly ill-treated by three Gendarmes during a routine identity control. His injuries led to the riot, which was quelled only after an agreement had been reached between Préfet Délégué Dominique Lacroix and a negotiator from French Quarter.
“We denounce the way Gendarmes have been treating the people of St. Martin, treating them like animals,” said Durimel in a phone call from Guadeloupe. “We are forming a support committee that will include politicians and officials. The intention is to force Gendarmes to respect people.
“The way Brouta was treated is not legal. Just because you are a Gendarme does not give you the right to kick people. We are going to sue the Gendarmes definitely. This brutalisation deserves a trial.”
Meanwhile, Capitaine Stéphane Aurousseau said the Gendarmerie was still waiting to hear Eugene Brouta’s version of events to continue with its investigation, which is being conducted by the Brigade des Recherches.
“We have interviewed witnesses and other key persons but have not seen the victim himself yet,” said Aurousseau Wednesday. He said the three Gendarmes involved in the incident had been interviewed by their superiors about the incident and were still working while the investigation was in progress.
“The enquiry has to take its course, and at the moment they (Gendarmes) are innocent until proven guilty. But if it is proven they have exceeded the boundaries of their authority then they will face suspension,” he added.
Aurousseau said that from the Gendarmerie perspective the enquiry was focusing on a case of civil disobedience, specifically on four fronts: the blockade that prevented the free flow of traffic through French Quarter, the deliberate burning of a Gendarmerie car, a shoulder injury sustained by a Gendarme who was struck by a rock, and the incident between the victim and the three Gendarmes.
Not everyone approved of the reaction of the French Quarter community that day and one French-side newspaper has been criticised for its condemnation of the crowd’s behaviour.
Aurousseau gave no indication of how long the investigation might take.
Meanwhile, a public meeting at which lawyer Durimel will be present is due to be held at Scout’s Place, in French Quarter (on the road to Coralita), today at 7:00pm.
Brouta’s mother, Georgina Rohan, said she had been unable to eat properly and had had sleepless nights worrying about her son, who has not yet gone back to work due to his injuries.
“He’s a very quiet family man with children and never been in any trouble,” she said of Eugene. “He is always willing to help people, never troublesome, and this business of the kicking is really troubling me. He’s in pain. What’s going to happen to his four children? Who is going to pay his bills? He did not deserve this.”
In an earlier interview with The Daily Herald Brouta said he would be seeking compensation from the Gendarmerie for his injuries.
