Five members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) stationed at Mabaruma, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) were arrested for an allegation of rape. While the details surrounding the incident are not available, the GDF in a release to the media stated that the five ranks are currently the subject of a Police investigation.
“The soldiers are co-operating with the Police as the investigation is ongoing,” the release stated.
In addition, the Force wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to the preservation of law and order.
In October 2018, two soldiers – Rawlston Reid, 22, of Dochfour Housing Scheme and Isaiah Rawlins, 21, of Wisroc, Linden – allegedly raped a 26-year-old female in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
It was reported that on October 13, 2018, the two soldiers, who were placed on 300,000 bail each, allegedly had forceful sex with the woman.
The woman was at the time with her boyfriend at a community centre ground eating chips when they were approached by the soldiers, who are known to them.
The couple was ordered to have sex for the soldiers to see and when they refused, they were beaten and robbed. The woman’s boyfriend was forced to watch the entire ordeal before they stripped him of his gold chains worth $180,000.
The men have since been dismissed from the military.
