THE Kingston Dub Club promoter and selector, whose arrests sparked outcry among Jamaicans when they were taken into custody the same day as Carnival road march in Kingston, were freed when they appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday.

Promoter Karlyle Lee, more popularly known as Gabre Selassie, and selector Rahay Mooyan were charged with breaching the Noise Abatement Act.Reports from the St Andrew Central Police are that approximately 10:30 pm on April 23, they were on patrol when they received several calls about loud noise at Skyline Drive in Jack’s Hill, St Andrew. A policeman reportedly went to the location and requested the event’s permit from the promoter.According to the police, the promoter was unable to provide the permit and as a result was instructed to turn off the music. He was also informed that he would be charged.The patrons, who became boisterous and attempted to prevent the cops from carrying out their task, were pepper-sprayed. The men were subsequently arrested and charged.When the matter was called up yesterday, the court was told that the police provided a document to the court stating that the men should not have been charged.Parish Judge Simone Wolfe-Reece subsequently offered no evidence on the basis that the men had a licence to operate.At the time of their arrests, Minister of Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange expressed regret over the incident, stating that it was ironic that the incident occurred during the annual celebration of Carnival.The weekly event, Kingston Dub Club, plays an integral role in keeping roots reggae alive, the minister said.— Racquel Porter