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by pltm
(PLTM) - Enhanced legislation with more stringent punishment to address looters will be introduced to the House of Assembly (HoA) in coming months. This was announced today, September 18, by Attorney General, the Honourable Baba Aziz during a special sitting of the Supreme Court to mark the opening of the 2018-2019 Law Year.
In his address to the gathering of members of the judiciary and legal practitioners, Hon. Aziz reflected on the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in September 2017, and the criminal acts that followed in the form of looting in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
“On September 8, while we were still coming to grips with the devastation around us, certain criminals added to the losses and ruin by embarking on open looting of the shops which had suffered damages.”
As such, he said that the need for action to be taken against this social scourge is needed.
“We have already prepared the legislation enhancing punishment for those who loot and for those who take advantage of disasters,” he announced, further adding that, “In the coming months, it is my belief that this legislation will be introduced in the House of Assembly.”
Days after tragedy struck the islands, looters took to the streets, carting off quantities of items from stores and shops that were damaged by the hurricane. Several persons were arrested, as images of some were captured and made public.
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