By SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
FORMER political hopeful Omar Archer Sr was arrested early on Friday morning, a week after police issued a wanted bulletin for his arrest.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean confirmed that Mr Archer Sr was in custody but did not provide any further details.
According to sources, the 45-year-old Nassau Village resident was arrested, without incident, at his home shortly after 3am.
Mr Archer Sr was wanted for questioning in reference to the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Last Thursday, Mr Archer Sr - a vocal supporter of the Free National Movement (FNM) on social media - posted a photo to his Facebook page that depicted him holding a shotgun with a text overlay that read "Minnis messenger paid for by the Free National Movement".
In the comment section, he explained that the edited photo was "the work of desperate PLPs trying to discredit me in any way possible".
Mr Archer Sr is a former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) member and one time chairman of the now defunct third party, the Bahamas Democratic Movement.
An outspoken and controversial political figure, Mr Archer Sr has often clashed with members and supporters of opposing parties due to his confrontational style of campaigning.
Earlier this month, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney announced that he has filed a legal action against him in the Supreme Court over allegations he described as "gutter politics".
In a Facebook Live video, Mr Archer allegedly cautioned Mr McCartney not to criticise nor speak ill of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, and threatened to reveal allegations about Mr McCartney’s family business and other personal details should the DNA leader not take heed.
In May, 2015, police issued a wanted bulletin for Mr Archer Sr in connection with several ongoing investigations into intentional libel allegations. He grabbed headlines during that time after he jumped out of a second-storey window at the South Street Court Complex and broke his legs in the fall. Mr Archer Sr was at the court for an unrelated matter.
“He saw the officers and then he ran, nobody was pursuing him,” Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle said at the time.
In 2013, Mr Archer pleaded not guilty to charges of intentional libel and two counts of threats of death against National Security State Minister Keith Bell and a police officer.
It was alleged that on or about May 2, 2013, he unlawfully published defamatory remarks about Minister Bell and also threatened the senator with death.
It was also claimed that he threatened Cpl 1405 Adrian Miller with death on May 3, 2013.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years ago
This is what a corrupt government led by a defacto dictator does when it feels threatened by the voice of the people. Such intimidation tactics are very common in countries like China and Zimbabwe. Small wonder Crooked Christie is looking more and more like Mugabe with the passing of each day!
killemwitdakno 7 years ago
They intend to have election without him.
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/m...">Police seek Omar Archer - after he broke his legs jumping from court window
Required 7 years ago
Having looked at the photo in question, I do suspect that it's a Photoshop job.
sheeprunner12 7 years ago
Where is Fred Smith QC on this matter???????? ......... I trust that he has already made his way down to CDU to represent Omar Archer pro bono ......... along with Romy Ferrera and Adrian Gibson ........... This will be a serious case that must be carefully watched by the CARICOM/OAS/UN election observers and Amnesty International ........ The PLP is a dangerous bunch to openly challenge (and expose) during an election campaign
birdiestrachan 7 years ago
Mr: Archer appears to have serious mental problems. The same goes for those who some how choose to involve the PLP in this. I trust he will seek help for his illiness.
Porcupine 7 years ago
Have you sought help for your illness?
Honestman 7 years ago
Birdiebrain the PLP troll is beyond help I believe.
sealice 7 years ago
you gotta share some of the dope you smokin man... does every PLP troll get paid with it?
alfalfa 7 years ago
We still have freedom of speech, I think. The firearms unit of the RBPF should be able to easily ascertain whether Mr. Archer had a gun license, but as we still hand write gun licenses in 2017, this is unlikely. It seems that they have picked him up on a trumped up charge, as an excuse, to make him pay for what he is saying in social media. Birdie, I did not know you were a mental health expert. If you are, God help us.
John 7 years ago
The world is watching, to see what this desperate PLP government, does with Omar Archer this time. Four or five times he has been arrested and thrown in jail under the PLP. Yes they are watching. Especially those who was supplying him with the information that ruffled many feathers and those who were sponsoring his campaign. Maybe he was only the messenger. The information is still out there. Omar Archer, last seen alive and in (apparent) good health, in the custody of a desperate (PLP) government...with a murder count of over 600 and climbing! Watch it!
John 7 years ago
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts. Perhaps the fear of a loss of power. -John Steinbeck" .. ."And power without compassion is the worst kind of evil there is. -E.J. Patten, Return to Exile" . .."Power is when you have every justification to kill someone, and then you don’t. -Oskar Shindler." . .. . "Don't trust children with edge tools. Don't trust man, great God, with more power than he has until he has learned to use that little better. What a hell we should make of the world if we could do what we would! -Ralph Waldo Emerson"
birdiestrachan 7 years ago
airalfa allow common sense to prevail . Do you know of any sensible person who jumps from a a two story building. breaks his leg when no one is chasing them??. you may know the saying common sense is not common. But then again you may think it is the normal thing to do
John 7 years ago
@birdiestrachan..the price of freedom..they were about to put murder charges on him, false apparently, which means he would have been in jail before now, Awaiting trial that may have been a long time in coming. Ask Rodney Moncur how a government acts when they don't want certain information exposed of when they believe you have more influence over the masses than you do. .. ."*“Don't dare a person who has nothing else left to lose.” ― Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kiss an Angel
ThisIsOurs 7 years ago
Mr Archer is irresponsible, I stick with what I said before he was arrested, his friends should have counseled him instead of encouraging him. He is destroying himself. When they saw him jump out a two story window they should have gotten him professional help. Seriously he could have killed himself no need to be afraid of people lurking on the dark to do it
alfalfa 7 years ago
People have done worse than jump out of a window when they are afraid, If he broke his legs. He could not have gotten away, and then his mental state should have been evaluated by the authorities who had him in custody at that time. Was this done? I think not, or if he was indeed mentally unfit he would have been committed, at that time. Since he is Irresponsible and destroying himself, according to "thisisours", and has serious mental problems, according to "birdie", and once again in custody, will they have him evaluated and committed. Watch and see.
John 7 years ago
word on the street is that he is now in hospital after being severely beaten, which confirms he had reason to jump from the window last time. Hope policemen who persecute for their political masters must remember that governments do change.
ThisIsOurs 7 years ago
Stop encouraging this man to do foolishness, I don't see anyone getting arrested with him or sitting in the hospital bed with him with a black eye. Everyone's implying what a wonderful job he doing but only him suffering. That doesn't make any sense to me. Reynard Henfield is accomplishing 1000% more than him without a bunch of silly irresponsible antics
ThisIsOurs 7 years ago
I pray he has at least ONE friend he listens to who can encourage him onto a path of constructive opposition. This makes NO sense. For what? Two broken legs, black eyes, bruised kidneys, and a hospital bill to tell us who have sweetheart and outside child???
The_Oracle 7 years ago
That we are even having the conversation about possible political persecution, an apparent police custody beating, shows we may have more to fear than we know. It also shows the complete lack of trust or respect the majority have for politicians, Government, police officers, the courts, etc. Rule by personality begets the Ton Ton Macoute mentality of policing, beatings, inhumane treatment, disappearing people, not serving and protecting. If this is our direction we are indeed finished as a decent country.
Chucky 7 years ago
Did he really jump out of that window? Or is this just what they said after throwing him out?
ThisIsOurs 7 years ago
He actually admitted to jumping. I believe he thinks in real life people support him, but in "real life" people are waiting to see what crazy high jinks he will get up to next so they can hear some sweet gossip or get a good laugh. He's sacrificing himself for a nonexistent cause.
John 7 years ago
Apparently a lot of you did not know about the two possible murders 9involving high ranking police officers and one of the apparent victims was also a police officer with very high standards) and also an apparent insurance fraud (also involving a police officer) where an individual also died, that Archer was exposing. Yes making petty, personal attacks on politicians and/or their families is not a good thing, but for a country that has had over 600 murders in 4 years and 9 months, and over 1,100 murders in a decade don't you think it is time to start digging a little deeper? A lot more deeper for that matter. Two young, school age boys were headshot and murdered, execution style, left on the side of the street like two dead dogs, and the country has no clue as to who did it and why. Yet the people remain silent. Yes a prison cell is an uncomfortable and lonely place, and being on a hospital bed suffering from injuries inflicted by someone (or even a gang of people) else or inflicted because you were willing to stand up and give oppressed people a voice, and maybe you do feel that you are fighting for people who don't care. but some people just choose to vote in silence and leave change to the power of the ballot. then maybe the commissioner of police should, no must,also have his term limited, if only for the number of murders that happen while he was commissioner, and the number is not decreasing...
ThisIsOurs 7 years ago
Reynard and We March are making ALOT of "sensible" noise. What Archer is doing is nonsensical. Again I don't see anyone behind him, Paul at least had Silas and Timothy. People are quite happy to let him cause a ruckus because it suits their agenda, this reminds me of the Loretta situation, someone stoke her up to run for leader and then leave her high and dry when the going got rough. The same is happening to him
John 7 years ago
there is no shame in going to jail if you are innocent. The Apostle Paul wrote most of the bible from a jail cell. He said 'they say I was in jail, but i know different because the holy spirit came and dwell with me, so I say I was in heaven. "But Paul had faith in the living God to see him through his trial. “On him we have set our hope,” wrote Paul, “that he will continue to deliver us” (verse 10). But as Paul’s life demonstrates, God often delivers us out of troubles we are already in, not necessarily from troubles before they begin.
Yet, as we must, Paul was able to rise above his many afflictions. How did he do it? And how can we surmount our trials and troubles? Paul didn’t overcome by his own strength or will. He never took personal credit for being able to bear his painfully heavy cross. He attributed his spiritual muscle to its true source — Jesus Christ. Paul said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
He rejoiced, not in his own will and courage, but in the power of Christ in him. And by that example we know that we, too, have access to the same spiritual power and courage.*
John 7 years ago
the truth needs no defence and if you notice PM Christie did not respond to any of the questions put to him, except flip the bird. And if it was Christie who ordered the arrest of Omar Archer on false or even Trumped up charges, this entire nation should be concerned and enraged. Some of the questions are (1.) Does the pm own a $15 million home in Atlanta, Georgia? No answer. (2) Did the PM hold contracts with Bah Mar in his son's (Adam) name for pool construction and landscaping services (this is when he gave the middle finger) (3) Does the PM have any interest in the condominium project being constructed directly across from his residence?, no answer. (4) Does the PM have any interest in Playtec, the parent company of Island Luck? Interest that may compromise his position as pm and/or the granting of gaming licences to Playtec or any other government contracts with this company? no answer. Then, of course there was the ever elusive question about the VAT money..questions every Bahamian citizen would want answered before Election Day
ThisIsOurs 7 years ago
If Omar Archer revealed that Perry Christie had a Swiss bank account with one billion dollars would you be surprised? I know I wouldn't. And if he did, what would happen? Nothing. Exactly what's happening now after Omar tell us about outside child and equity ownership and building across the street. Nothing. More was accomplished by We March by speaking about things that Bahamians feel, jobs, VAT, the landfill, the murder count. Those are things the people care about. You start talking about outside child and sweetheart, nobody cares, it's salacious gossip it does nothing to serve the nation.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID