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Kerlian News Service

International Edition

Trial of 13-year-old accused of anti-matriarchal activity begins
24th October 2019

The trial of a 13-year-old girl, accused of anti-matriarchal activity for organising a placard-making session for a Teenagers Against Torture protest which took place on the 16th April this year has begun. The teenager has been detained since April, after being arrested with others who participated in organising the protest, though most were then released. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was detained on the orders of Anita Patel, then a member of the Council.

The arrest and detention of the girl had not previously been reported, due to orders given by Anita Patel – which has caused controversy, with several present Councillors claiming they had no idea a 13-year-old had been detained. The detention of under-16s on charges of anti-matriarchal activity is very rare, and requires the personal approval of a Councillor – though in practice, generally the whole Council has been consulted.

Councillor Carmen Robinson said that it is “deeply disturbing that a young girl has spent six months in detention without the knowledge of the majority of the Council, and is now on trial for political crimes.” She has called for the immediate release of the girl, and the dropping of all charges. Robinson is an advocate for ending the detention of minors unless a violent crime has been committed.

A spokesperson for President Arnott’s office has stated that the President had “no knowledge” of the detention and that they were looking into “possible illegal activity” which led to the withholding of information from the President’s office. Speculation suggests that one, or several, Councillors had deliberately hidden the detention from President Arnott. An investigation is expected to begin shortly.

The parents of the detained girl were both questioned in April, however were released shortly afterwards. When approached for comment, neither parent was willing to speak. However, the girl’s older brother, 17, who works in a local factory, stated that he hopes his sister will be found not guilty. If the trial progresses, a verdict is expected on Tuesday.