Police outpost, GPL bombings: National security risks cited as prosecution opposes bail for minibus driver

The prosecution on Wednesday strongly objected to the release of 35-year-old minibus driver Seon Carmichael, who is accused of facilitating two acts of terrorism in connection with the recent bombings at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost and a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) substation. Prosecutors cited the grave nature of the crimes and national security implications, despite claims that Carmichael acted under threat from a feared international gang.
Carmichael of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, was denied bail for a second time when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Unlike his initial appearance, when he was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Lamy Singh, Carmichael on Wednesday retained defence counsel Mikel Puran, who mounted an impassioned plea for his release.
The prosecution maintained that the alleged offences were “too serious and too severe” in the current national climate. They pointed out that the acts targeted two key elements of the country’s infrastructure, a police outpost and the power grid, both vital to public safety and order.
They further contended that Carmichael’s release would present an unacceptable risk, not only due to the severity of the charges but also because the key suspects remain at large. Police have issued wanted bulletins for two Venezuelan nationals and a Brazilian man known as Flavio Tasso, believed to be the orchestrators of the bombings. The prosecution emphasised that these foreign suspects are still evading law enforcement and that releasing Carmichael could either jeopardise his own safety or risk further interference with the investigation.
Carmichael’s alleged connections to the other alleged suspects were central to the prosecution’s argument. They suggested that his knowledge of the operation and relationships with the suspects make him a flight risk, even in the absence of his passport, which was seized upon.
In response, attorney Mikel Puran painted a picture of a man who became entangled in a dangerous situation not of his own making. He told the court that Carmichael was contacted in May by Tasso, the Brazilian man believed to be one of the masterminds behind the attacks. According to Puran, Tasso is the former partner of Carmichael’s cousin, Indira Melville.
He said Carmichael was initially led to believe that his services were needed for benign purposes, transporting mining equipment and groceries for interior operations. On May 14, Carmicheal was allegedly hired to drive around Georgetown in search of storage space for mining parts. The following day, Carmichael reportedly helped Flavio transport equipment, including an excavator part, which was shipped via Ogle to the interior.
However, during the evening of May 15, Flavio allegedly revealed to Carmichael that the Venezuelan nationals accompanying him were part of a gang sent to carry out bombings, specifically targeting the Subway fast food outlet, the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost, and GPL’s substation. Flavio is said to have threatened Carmichael, warning him that if he reported anything to the police, “the Sindicato gang” would kill him and his family. To prove the threat was credible, Carmichael later received a chilling photo of his children at school sent from an overseas number. The lawyer claimed that two Spanish-speaking men even showed up at his home to question his son about his wife’s whereabouts.
Attorney Puran argued that from that point on, Carmichael was operating out of fear and self-preservation. He stressed that there is no evidence placing Carmichael at the scenes of the explosions on May 17, nor is there surveillance showing him driving the suspect vehicle at the time of the attacks. The vehicle used, the defence claimed, is not registered to Carmichael but rather to a man named Richard James. Carmichael’s own minibus, which he was driving at the time of his arrest, was never used in the alleged bomb plot, except to transport an excavator part unrelated to the explosions.
The defence also noted that Carmichael has no prior convictions and did not attempt to flee. He was arrested on May 23 while in his minibus with his three children and complied fully with police instructions. His passport had already been seized, and he remained at his fixed address.
Magistrate Azore ruled against bail, citing the broader implications for national security. “These allegations are serious,” the magistrate said. “They involve attacks on critical infrastructure. For those reasons, bail will be refused.”
The court acknowledged the argument about threats to Carmichael’s safety but noted that, ironically, his current detention might offer greater protection, as his cooperation with authorities could make him a target.
Carmichael entered not guilty pleas to the two terrorism charges. The case has been adjourned to June 25, 2025, for partial disclosure. Prosecutors indicated they are ready to proceed with the matter in an expedited manner.
Meanwhile, the hunt continues for the three wanted suspects. Law enforcement is urging members of the public with any information to come forward as they investigate what has been described as one of the most brazen acts of domestic terrorism in recent years.