Amari “Dj Mona Lisa” has criticised the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) for its alleged mistreatment of incarcerated dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel who is suffering from deteriorating health.
“We’re not saying free Kartel, we’re saying make sure that he gets help in regards to his health ’cause when it reach ABC news, it make Jamaica look bad,” Amari said.
She suggested that Kartel should be given “immediate help” and that the Department of Correctional Services should call in its own medical team to examine Kartel’s situation and ensure that he does not die in prison.
“We are talking about someone who has been in jail, making hits after hits, still calling on God, still a motivator for children and for everyone, someone who don’t give up and this is someone who is know internationally, he is not someone who should be ignored like this, disrespected like this…it should not seem as if he is not important,” she said.
Kartel’s lawyer Isat Buchanan said the artiste was under 23-hour lockdown following a recent phone violation.
What’s worse, it emerged last week that he is suffering from an autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease which, coupled with two heart conditions, which his lawyer said makes his present situation “life-threatening.”
Broadcaster Lisa Evers of FOX5NY said she had obtained a sworn medical affidavit from Kartel’s private doctor, endocrinologist Karen Phillips, which outlined that the dancehall star has been battling Graves’ disease for seven years and that despite being treated, it has not gone into remission.
Evers also revealed that the 47-year-old deejay has two heart conditions that are getting worse, and that, without surgery, “he could die.”
This is not any and anybody asking for help, this is Vybz Kartel, Mr prime minister, you need to do something about this,” Amari, who is known for the hit single, ‘Neco’, said.
Amari highlighted what she said was the hypocrisy and scant regard with which politicians deal with members of the entertainment industry, using them when it is expedient to do so, and ignoring them at other times.
“Why these people in government call on artistes to give them dubplates?. You call on me for a Neco dubplate, when oonu a run election, oonu call on the artistes dem, why these artistes can’t call on you? The man has been in jail for all this time for a crime he said that he has not committed and yu have him de, have him de, until it just seem feel like a personal ting but let the law deal with that. But it is making international news right now that Vybz Kartel is sick,” she mused.
Amari called on the authorities to intervene to ensure that the deejay gets the needed medical attention.
“He needs to be flown to Miami, if he has a heart problem, If someone as young as him has a heart problem, you must know it is very serious. How yu a go home and a nyam pork and ah sit back and take up remote and know that time is ticking away and that Kartel needs to be in a facility with the best professionals to take care of him.”
Two of Kartel’s two closest colleagues Spice and Popcaan lamented his alleged mistreatment at the hands of prison authorities. Popcaan took to Twitter on behalf of his former mentor.
“Free up Adidja Palmer!! Give that man another chance at life. Jah Jah know!” tweeted the Unruly Boss.
Spice, who is known for the collabs Conjugal Visit and Romping Shop with Vybz Kartel, wrote: “Prayers for @vybzkartel STAY STRONG… I LOVE YOU KING #FreeWorldBoss… How can you lock a man down for 23 hours every day in a poorly ventilated area knowing his health issues, just because you find a cell phone on his block? So wah happen, a him alone have to pay the consequences for the entire block? JAH JAH.”
