Second policeman charged in CCTV video leak to Opposition Leader

Last Updated on Monday, 2 November 2026, 15:10 by Written By Denis Chabrol

Another policeman was Monday arraigned on a cyber crime charge for allegedly handing over Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) video from the police surveillance command centre to Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.

Magistrate Abigail Gibbs refused bail and remanded to prison until November 24, 2026, the same day as constable Ryan Greene and Mr Mohamed also have to return to court.

The Guyana Police Force said 24-year old constable Ashton “Chappy” Chappelle of Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, was charged with obtaining and giving electronic data relating to the national security of the State, in violation of Section 9(1)(b) and contrary to Section 9(2)(b) of the Cybercrime Act No. 16 of 2018. If found guilty, he can be fined up to GY$8 million and sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Police said the the charge stems from an investigation into an alleged offence committed on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

Mr Chappelle was arrested on Friday, October 30, 2026 and subsequently charged on Monday, November 2, 2026.

Last Monday, the Opposition Leader triggered an investigation into how the video  was leaked after he played more than 20 minutes of the recording at a press conference to challenge the official police account of what had transpired on October 12 outside the residence of the police force intelligence chief, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine and the subsequent interception the politician and two staff members were travelling in at Vlissengen Road and Sandy Babb Street.

They have been charged wit discharging a loaded firearm near the home of Mr Narine, a leading witness in the United States’ extradition hearing for the Mohameds, in an attempt to pervert the course of justice. Other joint charges are illegal possession of a hand-gun and illegal possession of ammunition.