Tension rises in Georgetown as President warns of tough action against disruptive persons anxious for Adriana Younge autopsy results

Last Updated on Saturday, 3 May 2025, 12:34 by Writer

Riot squad police opened fire to disperse a group of persons who were outside the southern gate of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation mortuary where an autopsy is being conducted for the past several hours on the body of 11-year-old Adriana Younge who died under suspicious circumstances.

The action by the police came as President Irfaan Ali issued a stern warning to those he said were bent on disrupting the process aimed at finding the truth about Adriana’s death last Wednesday or Thursday.

“An important aspect in getting to the truth is underway, and anyone who disrupts this process will be answerable by law. Those who continue to create mischief and damage will also be prosecuted,” Dr Ali said.

The President sought to reassure Guyanese that his administration supports peaceful protests.

“We support peaceful protests and expressions from every law-abiding citizen but would not condone illegality. Let us pursue the truth within the confines of the law,” he said.

As police fired at the sympathisers of Younge, the people hurled bottles and bricks at the lawmen.

The police lost at least one shield to a protester who used it effectively to protect himself as he pelted the law men while retreating from a hail of gunfire.

Protesters also set fire to a small pile of objects on Middle and Thomas streets about one hour after they failed to set alight a larger stack of wood near the old Prashad’s Hospital.

Several volleys of shots were fired.

Inside the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation compound near the mortuary there were scores of persons who managed to enter to support the grieving family and relatives of Adriana.

Deputy Police Commissioner, Simon McBean told the media that results of the postmortem would be made available as soon as possible while appealing to the public for calm.

The parents, relatives and supporters of the Younges have staged protests in several parts of the country.