Guyana to ask U.S. to extradite Rickford Burke to face extortion charge

Last Updated on Sunday, 22 June 2025, 9:34 by Writer

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said on Saturday night that Guyana would ask the United States to extradite New York-based political activist Rickford Burke to face extortion charges.

“Since Mr. Burke remains outside of the jurisdiction of Guyana, extradition proceedings will be pursued under the Fugitive Offenders Act in keeping with the ruling of the Chief Justice,” the GPF said.

The decision by the GPF followed Friday’s decision by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire to strike down criminal defamation libel as unconstitutional because it violates the constitutional right to freedom of expression. She also found that it was illegal for a locally-issued summons for Mr Burke to have been delivered to his New York-based home since the alleged offence was not committed in Guyana and more so he had never returned here for the past 27 years. She also said summons for someone overseas was limited to civil rather than criminal matters.

The GPF maintained resolutely that it is in possession of “cogent, compelling, and irrefutable evidence”that Mr Burke has engaged in the conduct of extorting money from a local businessman.

Police said the matter was under review and the GPF is awaiting further legal advice in relation to the institution of fresh charges.