In light of a video on social media of Russians torturing and beating Guyanese miners near the Quartzstone River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
A miner who was allegedly tortured by the Russian guards
F Division (Interior Locations) Police Commander Kevin Adonis when contacted told Guyana Times that an official report was received on Sunday from a miner who claimed that he was brutalised by a group of Russian guards attached to the West Bank Demerara Gold Inc.
The Police Commander explained that there was evidence on the miner’s body which suggested that he was beaten and tortured and as such, he was transported to Georgetown where he would undergo a medical examination.
Further, Commander Adonis explained that the young man was expected to return to Bartica where he would be joined by a team of Police ranks and they would travel to the location where the incident reportedly took place.
Once there, the law enforcement official added, a thorough investigation will be launched and the findings will be disseminated to the public.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) called on the Government to investigate the alleged torture, harassment, assault and abuse of Guyanese miners and workers by Russians.
The group has written to President David Granger and the Ministers of Legal Affairs, National Security and Natural Resources; acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Chairman Stanley Ming calling for an investigation.
The group in a release stated that on April 3, 2018, two employees of Hopkinson Mining Logistics were executing duties on their employer’s concession when they were intercepted by two expatriate Russian operatives who made every attempt to prohibit them from doing so.
As such, a security officer of Hopkinson recorded the incident with his cellular phone. The video recording showed a Russian guard, who is known in the concession area as “Batali”, demanding documentation and challenging the two employees’ right to be on their employer’s claim and subsequently attempting to block their access.
The video showed “Batali” punching one of the men to his face and as the employee attempted to defend himself, the Russian punched him a second time, and then pulled out a gun.
“CGID has also obtained additional evidence of a separate incident in which the said Russians allegedly handcuffed another mining worker and tied him onto the roof of a structure and tortured him. The worker was reportedly forced to urinate and defecate while hanging from the roof. These are very serious allegations,” the group stated in a release to the media on Monday.
In addition, the Russian security guard allegedly displayed a Guyana Police Force supernumerary constable precept – an instrument that licenses security guards to carry a firearm.
