Cops advised to do more work on probe of alleged plot against president
-deny involvement of members of force.
The Guyana Police Force’s legal advisor has advised investigators do further work on their investigation of the alleged report of a plot to assassinate President David Granger.
Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud told reporters yesterday afternoon that based on the investigation done so far, the case file was sent for legal advice, which the police received yesterday. “Actually, [there] was a witness that the police contacted and… the police legal advisor asked that we confront with the person making the allegation to clear some issues and then to resend [the file],” he explained.
He said it was hoped that the additional work would be completed over the weekend so that the file can be resent for legal advice.
When asked if the police have been receiving cooperation from those involved, the Commissioner said that there was a question of whether anything happened. “There are two individuals—the person making the allegation and a witness who has given the police a statement; witness meaning someone who could be able to give evidence to state whether this happened or did not happen,” he said.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon, at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, had confirmed that there had been a report of a plot by a group of men to assassinate the president. “We have a very popular President… people all over this country love him and embrace him and sometimes there are some people who are misguided; some people are guided by what they see on Facebook and the copycat type of issues and therefore we always have to be careful,” Harmon had said.
Persaud said yesterday that anyone found culpable in such circumstances could be charged with treason. “Any plot to kill the president, to overthrow government… is treason,” he noted.
Questions were also asked about a report broadcast on Thursday on MTV Channel 65’s News Update, which reported that it was being alleged that senior ranks of the force were involved in the assassination plot.
However, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan said yesterday that it was brought to his attention and it was untrue. “That is absolutely untrue.
There is absolutely no information on that and that can constitute public mischief and could lead to prosecution if it continues and also very severe consequences on the [TV station’s] licensing,” he warned.
The Guyana Police Force, in a statement issued last evening, said it was refuting claims made by the news broadcast. “This false and malicious accusation levelled against members of the force is designed to tarnish the good reputation of the organisation,” it said. The statement further noted that Ramjattan said government was fully aware of all of the circumstances surrounding the issue at hand and was also convinced that no such evidence exists against members of the force.
Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change (AFC), which is part of the coalition government, yesterday condemned the alleged plot and urged law enforcement agencies to bring the “criminal plotters and their handlers” to swift justice.
In a statement, the party said since the assumption to office by the coalition government, there has been “a well-orchestrated campaign of character assassination” targeting leaders of government, in addition to naked threats in social media posts. It also recalled that the police were called in to probe allegations of the private residence of the Prime Minister being staked out by a known criminal element.
“Our party cautions that race-baiting and inflammatory utterances by persons opposed to the Coalition Government have formed a bizarre backdrop for opportunistic elements to execute acts of criminality and terror,” the party added, before urging all Guyanese to be on the alert and to stand firm against and renounce criminal acts that could destabilize democracy and threaten the stability of the state.