Cybercrime bail set at K5,000

By DYLAN MURRAY
BAIL for cybercrime offenders within the National Capital District is K5,000 and is set as a deterrent, says Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika.
“There are two authorities that set bail, we are the first and the courts – the national and district courts – are the second,” he said
“Bail for crimes like fraud and rape are set by the court,” Sika said.
“The bail for cybercrime was increased to K5,000 by me as it was within police jurisdiction, to teach these offenders a lesson in not destroying someone else’s integrity.”
Sika said he had raised the bail because there were a lot of incidents being reported of people being harassed online and being victimised through cyberbullying.
He said cyberbullying or harassing someone online was degrading on the victim’s integrity and mental health.
He said tarnishing or destroying a person’s image online was serious, especially if it involved sharing of unsolicited pictures or videos.
“In a way, I’m trying to make an awareness to people: do not destroy someone else’s reputation and integrity,” he said.
Sika said those caught and charged with violating cybercrime law would pay the K5,000 bail.
He said it was a lesson for everyone.
He added that this would apply to all members of the public regardless of status; whether they were teenagers or adults who were in high ranking offices.
“The courts can change the bail according to their discretion; I’ve used mine at my level to teach a lesson as these cases come to me first,” he said.
Sika said the bail was in full effect and had already been applied in recent cases.
He added that a fraud charge would also incur a similar bail.