Meten-Meer-Zorg/Wakenaam: Several charged with murder, armed robbery; claim police torture, forced confessions

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

Amid claims of police brutality and forced confession statements, seven persons including one woman were arraigned on charges of murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry remanded them to prison until October 28 after the prosecution asked for four weeks to continue investigations.

The magistrate ordered the police to investigate allegation by several of the accused that they were beaten, shocked, tortured and forced to sign confessions. She also ordered that the accused, who complained of brutality, be taken to see a doctor.

“I get shocked in my eye, in my back, in my seed (testicles). They put a black bag over my face and stifle me and then tell me to sign four papers,” complained one of the accused from the dock. He further alleged that he was kicked about his body, resulting in him urinating and coughing blood.
Defence lawyer, Melvin Duke added that the accused were rounded up and charged as a group without any identification parade or confrontation.

Police alleged that the following persons murdered Zulfikar Namdar at Meten-Meer-Zorg on September 10 in the course of the furtherance of a robbery: Delwayne Croft of 589 Tuschen Housing Scheme; Esan “Maurice” Lawrence of Vreed-en-Hoop; Jermaine “Yankee” Williams of Gas Station Street, Anna Catherina; Alan Dorsett alias Alan Baird of  Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo; Samuel Bacchus of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area; Cassandra Singh of 610 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo and Andrew Chandler of 80 West Meten-Meer-Zorg.

The lone female accused complained to the magistrate that she was being denied her right to contact a lawyer since she was arrested. “I need my lawyer. My rights are being denied,” said the mother of a five-month old baby.

Police Prosecutor, Bharat Mangru told the court that they carted off GUY$320,000 worth of jewellery and GUY$1.3 million cash from Fazeela Namdar. The prosecutor told the court that the 27-year old man was in his shop around 8:45 PM when the premises was invaded by a group of armed men and one woman. Namdar was shot and killed.

Police alleged that the following persons committed a robbery under arms at the Good Success, Wakenaam Island home of Rohan “Anand” Dhanysure  on September 7: Alan Dorsett alias Alan Baird, Esan “Maurice” Lawrence, Jermaine “Yankee’ Williams and Delwayne Croft and Kyran “50 cent” Khan of Parika Railway Embankment.

The prosecutor told the court that the men, armed with gun, invaded the Dhanaysures home where they stole GUY$3.5 million in gold jewellery and GUY$2.2 million in cash. When the prosecutor told the court that investigations revealed that Dorsett admitted to the use of his boat and engine, he blurted out “Never, My Worship. That is what they write.

Also appearing in court were Peter Christian and Samuel Bacchus who were charged with conspiracy to procure persons to commit a felony- committing robbery under arms- between September 13 and 16,2013 at Meten-Meer-Zorg.

When the prisoners exited the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Middle Street, Georgetown, a commotion deteriorated into a physical confrontation when Dorsett protested the murder charge and tried to avoid being taken into the lockup. He threw himself on the ground, resulting in police lifting up into the cell.

His mother and relatives, friends and associates of several of the accused also expressed concern about the charges.

Also present was Golzar Namdar who praised the police for charging the persons for allegedly murdering his 27-year old son. He also told a number of the accused that it was good that they were charged and queried of their family members whether it was good that his son was killed, leaving behind his wife and two children.