Two members of Bermudians Against the Draft (BAD) were released from custody at Warwick Camp yesterday after spending a night in the cells.

Lamont Marshall and Jamel Hardtman were charged with failing to perform their military duties, which they were supposed to resume on June 3.

They were each fined $500 by Regiment Commanding officer Brian Gonsalves, which they have two weeks to pay or face potential court action. Lt. Col. Gonsalves also told them to attend a 14-day cadet camp next month.

Mr. Marshall, 25, said last night: "I told him I would not give him my hard-earned money or report to any camp but he threatened they would come and pick me up again and go before the Magistrates."

Mr. Marshall, a national record-breaking road runner, went on hunger strike during his incarceration, as he had previously pledged to do.

Describing his night in custody he said: "It was a hot, sticky, smelly cell, it was nothing you would want to be cooped up in and they give you an old dusty blanket. But if that's what has to be done, you have to be proactive and take matters into your own hands, you have to go the distance."

Both he and Mr. Hardtman, 28, continue to oppose their order to serve in the Regiment on the basis that they are conscientious objectors. Neither turned up to a defence exemption tribunal last week, saying it had been convened too hastily and they wished to have time to take further legal advice.

They, along with 12 other members of BAD, were previously exempted from service while pursuing a court case that aimed to get mandatory military service outlawed in Bermuda. They lost the case in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Privy Council, meaning they are still legally required to serve in the Regiment, and subject to arrest for skipping duties.

Mr. Marshall was arrested at the Corporation of Hamilton, where he works as a sanitation engineer, around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Meanwhile, members of the Regiment went to Mr. Hardtman's place of work, Hott 107.5 radio station, but did not find him there.

The move upset his employer, Cabinet Minister Glenn Blakeney, who commented that it would have been "more respectful" if the Regiment had gone to his home rather than his workplace (see separate story.)

Mr. Hardtman subsequently turned himself in at Warwick Camp later on Tuesday as a gesture of solidarity with Mr. Marshall.

Around 20 supporters of Bermudians Against the Draft gathered outside the gates of the camp from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. to engage in what BAD leader Larry Marshall Sr. described as "a peaceful protest". The pair were released from detention around noon yesterday.

Giving an update on behalf of the Regiment, spokesman Major George Jones said Mr. Marshall and Mr. Hardtman were seen by a company commander on Tuesday, in accordance with the Defence Act, then remanded to see the Commanding Officer, Brian Gonsalves, yesterday.

Lt. Col. Gonsalves determined after an investigation "that the circumstances were such that the charges may be suitably dealt with by him as an internal disciplinary action, and imposed an appropriate punishment in accordance with the Act," according to Major Jones.

A third member of BAD, Shannon Adderley, 28, was previously arrested and released, and also has to attend the cadet camp.

Major Jones said of the camp: "This is part of every soldier's annual service obligations under the Act for which they are entitled to and will be paid for, and is not an award or punishment."

He went on to comment: "Contrary to allegations made to the contrary, the Regiment is not singling out or deliberately persecuting individual members of BAD. If they are victims, it is only of their own choice and actions deliberately taken by them, and not of the Regiment subsequently having to comply with its own obligations as it would against any other soldier who commits a military offence as set out under the same law. "

l A story in yesterday's edition stated that Mr. Marshall failed to attend a "Regimental Tribunal". The Regiment has asked this newspaper to point out that the Defence Tribunal is a Government-appointed board, independent from the Regiment. It was also stated that the men were arrested for failing to attend the tribunal. In fact, they were arrested for missing military duties.