GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — The presidential press secretary in Guyana has been convicted of assault for striking an opposition party supporter during last year's election in the South American country.

A judge also convicted Press Secretary Kwame McKoy of a lesser charge of using threatening language. The 36-year-old spokesman for President Donald Ramotar was given the option Tuesday of paying $350 in fines or spending two weeks in jail.

He said Wednesday that he planned to appeal and called it a miscarriage of justice.

McKoy scuffled with opposition activist Clifton Stewart in October, a few weeks before the presidential election. Both men accused each other of tearing down campaign posters. Police initially accused McKoy of striking Stewart with a gun but the charge was later dropped for lack of evidence.