File still with DPP

High-profile rape

…MotP objects to newspaper headline

The Ministry of the Presidency has objected to the Guyana Times headline in Tuesday’s edition which stated that the President was being accused of covering up a high-profile sexual assault case involving top officials in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The article for which the headline was carried had pointed to criticisms made by former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, for the lack of response by the Government and, more particularly, the President for failing to take any action against those culpable or at least under suspicion of being guilty in the matter.
The matter involves a high-ranking female municipal official, who had filed a Police report against a regional official, alleging sexual assault. According to reports, it was during a work trip when the alleged victim was forced to share a room with the suspect that the assault took place. The woman, subsequent to her Police complaint, wrote to President Granger on November 7, 2016 on the matter, but, to date, he has yet to respond to her concerns.
Further, in an effort to seek justice for the young senior official, some 1200 persons signed the petition calling for the removal of the top official, who allegedly committed the act, on several grounds, one being sexual assault. The petition was forwarded to the President, the then Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally and the Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. No action was taken.RAPE
It was based on these steps but yet no action that the Opposition Leader criticised the President, pointing out that Granger could not “claim lack of knowledge on this matter”.
The PPP General Secretary condemned this apparent protection of an alleged sexual predator, as he expressed his belief that there was an organised attempt to hide the truth.
However, on Tuesday, while the Ministry objected to the headline, it did not say what was “slanderous and libellous” about it, but rather noted that the article on which the headline appeared showed a clear misunderstanding of how Guyana’s criminal justice system works and the presumption of innocence that is a legal right of an accused.
Additionally, the Ministry stated in its public missive that former President Jagdeo was aware that it is unlawful for the Head of State, who is the head of the Executive Branch of Government to intervene (or take action against those culpable) in matters that are before the courts (the Judicial Branch of Government) or criminal matters under active investigation.
Meanwhile, when contacted late Tuesday evening, F Division (Lethem and other Interior Locations) Commander Ravindradat Budhram confirmed that Police were still awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on instituting charges.
Ever since the matter attracted media attention, the accused senior regional official has come out, denying the reports against him. According to the regional officer’s lawyer, Jerome Khan, the accusations made against his client are false.