Having obtained CCTV footage from Saturday night’s incident when a live grenade was hurdled at a vehicle belonging to Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall at the newspaper’s Saffon Street office, detectives have since arrested a number of persons who are in custody assisting with the investigation.
According to the Police, after reviewing the surveillance footage, it was revealed that the grenade was hurled from a heavily tinted unlicensed grey Spacio motor vehicle. Leads based on the footage resulted in investigators detaining six suspects and impounding a motor car on Tuesday.
Surveillance footage of the suspected vehicle as it passed by Lall’s vehicle Saturday nightThe live grenade that was found next to Lall’s SUV shortly after the vehicle in question had passed
“The suspects were arrested in the wee hours of June 7, 2016 at different locations and are in custody assisting with investigations,” the Police said in a statement.
When questioned about the suspects in custody, A Division (Georgetown and East Bank Demerara) Commander Clifton Hicken told this newspaper that the Police did not want to divulge any information about the six persons as yet, noting that at the time (Tuesday night) investigators were still questioning the individuals about the incident.
Nevertheless, Hicken assured that the Force was working assiduously to find the perpetrator of the attack that has caused much stir within the country.
The live grenade was hurled at Lall’s vehicle as Kaieteur News held its first night of wakes to pay respect to Assistant Editor Dale Andrews who died on Friday.
Persons who were at the wake recalled hearing a strange sound, but only assumed that it was the sound of a glass shattering. However, when a thorough check was made, the grenade was found lying next to the right tyre of Lall’s black Lexus vehicle.
The Police were summoned and the area was immediately cordoned off while bomb experts deactivated the device. They noted it was a miracle that the live grenade did not explode.
This attack on Lall has been condemned by many, with Government calling it an act of “domestic terrorism”. In a statement on the night of the attack, Government said it was alarmed by the act of domestic terrorism attempted against the newspaper and pledged its resolute support in defence of press freedom in Guyana.
“We do not believe that the dropping of a grenade, even if a fake device, alongside a newspaper publisher’s vehicle could be considered a joke or a hoax. It was grave and an undisputed act of terror designed to intimidate, harm and create fear,” the coalition Administration stated.
On Monday, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee too expressed great concern over the attack, saying that his PPP has always been opposed to any act of terrorism.
In addition, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) has stated that such an attack has a chilling effect on press freedom. “All stakeholders in the international community, Opposition, Government and civil society must speak out against what seems like a calculated act to intimidate the work of Kaieteur News. The media in Guyana must be allowed to carry out its crucial work of being society’s watchdog, ensuring transparency and efficacy in State and the Private Sector, without frightening distractions like these,” the GPA said.
Moreover, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) also condemned the act. The PSC in a statement urged the Police to expedite their investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice in the shortest possible time.
A number of other media organisations have also condemned the attack.
