Toshao’s alleged rape of teenage girl occurred long before Ramotar’s planned visit

Last Updated on Saturday, 21 February 2015, 1:03 by GxMedia

In the wake of claims that the arrest of the Toshao of Moco-Moco was linked to his refusal of President Donald Ramotar’s visit to that Rupununi village, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Friday night said the alleged sexual assault was committed long before the planned visit.

Thirty-two year old Mark George has told Demerara Waves that he believed that his arrest Friday afternoon for alleged rape was a reprisal for his inability to accommodate Ramotar’s visit on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.

After several hours, he was subsequently asked to sign a document, released from custody and told to return to the Lethem Police Station on Tuesday. Prior to that, he had told Demerara Waves Online News that he would have given a statement only in the presence of his lawyer on Saturday. 

The Region Nine Schools’ Welfare Officer reported the alleged incident the same day of the planned visit, one day after George had told an activist of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) that the President could not have been accommodated.

But the Guyana Police Force, in a statement said the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year old female student of the Moco Moco Primary School was reportedly committed on February 1, 2015. Police confirmed receiving the report on February 17, 2015 based on information obtained.

The Police Force said investigators were earlier unsuccessful in contacting the victim and were only able to do so today Friday February 20, 2015, and are currently investigating the matter.

According to the law enforcement agency, “it is believed that there was some attempt to cover up the matter initially by members of the village because of who is the suspect in the matter.”