The 24-year-old Peters was allegedly attacked by several men onboard the Harbour Master boat on Wednesday night. He was beaten and thrown overboard during the altercation. A video that subsequently surfaced showed several men punching and kicking the elite athlete prior to him being thrown overboard.
Several people have been taken into custody but no one has yet been charged. Police said the investigations into the incident are ongoing and that it will take some time because of the number of individuals said to be involved.
Prime Minister Mitchell, who assumed office on June 24, released a statement on Thursday in which he also wished the Commonwealth Games silver medallist a speedy recovery from the injuries he sustained during the incident.
“Like so many of you, I, too, viewed the video of the altercation that involved our national sporting icon and international champion, Anderson Peters, and I am alarmed and troubled by what was shown,” the prime minister said.
“The facts are still unknown but the persons involved are currently assisting the police with the investigation, which we expect will be swift.
“As a Government, we unequivocally condemn violence of any kind and call on all citizens and visitors to maintain a posture of respect to differing perspectives and to opt for rational debate over extreme behaviour.
“I wish Anderson, and all other persons injured during the altercation, a speedy recovery from the injuries sustained.”
All four Trinidadians were ordered remanded in custody until the fines are paid. Failure to pay the fines could mean up to 18 months in prison for each man.
Mikhail John, a 35-year-old sailor, John Alexander, a 55-year-old deckhand, Noel Cooper, 42, the captain of the Harbour Master party boat, and Sheon Jack, a 28-year-old sailor, all pleaded guilty to charges of grievous harm against Anderson Peters and his brother Kiddon.
On the charge of grievous harm, each man was fined EC$3500 to be paid forthwith and in default face a year in prison; on the charge of causing harm each man was fined US$2000 to be paid forthwith or face six months imprisonment.
On Monday, prosecutors dropped the charges against 40-year-old Abiola Benjamin after reviewing a video of the incident that showed he was trying to separate the men involved in the altercation in which Peters suffered injuries to his ankle, elbow and face and was thrown overboard.
Meanwhile, 45-year-old sailor Lance Wiggins pleaded not guilty to the charges and was eventually released after prosecutors decided that the evidence against him was insufficient to bring about prosecution.
Peters was beaten and thrown overboard the Harbour Master party boat on the night of Wednesday, August 10. He suffered injuries to his ankle, elbow, and shoulder. He now faces a race against time to recover in order to complete his season on the Diamond League circuit.
If he is unable to, he stands to potentially lose tens of thousands of US dollars in earnings.
Peters has retained the services of Derick Sylvester in his quest to pursue a civil case against the convicted men.
Video of the incident showed Peters engaged in a physical altercation with several men. He was overpowered, kicked and punched before eventually being thrown off the boat named Harbour Master that was docked on the Spice Island.
There is no word yet on what triggered the incident.
The Royal Grenada Police told Sportsmax.TV on Thursday that the matter is still being investigated and that no charges have yet been laid in connection with the incident.
The police said the investigation is still ongoing because of the large number of people involved.
As it relates to the health of the Commonwealth Games silver medallist, the police said his condition is still being evaluated.
Calls to the Grenada Athletic Association President Charles George went unanswered. There was also no response from the Grenada Olympic Association when Sportsmax.TV called on Thursday.
A representative of the Grenadian athletic icon was also unable to provide any information on the state of his health.
Peters, 24, won his second world championship title in Oregon in July but finished second in at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July.
Investigations are continuing about the incident wherein the athlete was involved in a brawl with several men said to be from Trinidad and Tobago but so far no charges have been filed, police said. However, there are concerns over the athlete’s health following the incident.
The police said he was treated at a hospital and released but Paul Phillip, who coaches the athlete revealed on the Sportsmax Zone on Friday evening that Peters’ suffered injury to his left ankle as well as bruises to his elbow, neck and face.
According to Phillip, the ankle injury is of greatest concern as that is the ankle Peters’ throws off and it appears he has suffered a sprain which could prevent him from competing at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne on August 26.
The incident has drawn strong reactions across the region including Brian Lewis, President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) who expressed “shock and dismay” at the incident.
Discussions at a diplomatic level have also been engaged between representatives of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, who have said that it is hoped that justice will be served.
