Protests in front of Leonora Police Station, other areas along WCD: Politically driven unrest undermines justice for Adrianna Younge – Pres Ali

– says burning public infrastructure, blocking roads unlawful, disruptive

– Region 3 Commander removed; hotel owner, staff questioned

As protest actions continue in Region Three in demand for justice over the suspicious death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, President Dr Irfaan Ali has called for calm, stating that destruction to public properties is not only unlawful but disruptive.
The young girl’s body was found on Thursday morning in the pool at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), nearly 24 hours after she was reported missing.

The 11-year-old had gone to the hotel’s poolside with her grandmother and other relatives when she disappeared shortly after arriving.
Previous searches of the pool showed no signs of the girl, according to relatives, sparking countrywide outrage when Adrianna’s body mysteriously appeared in the pool later.
This discovery led to heightened protest action by both family members and concerned residents, including the burning of tires on the roadway. There was also a fire that destroyed sections of the hotel, as well as the home of the hotel’s owners.
On Friday morning, persons returned outside the hotel to continue what was initially a peaceful protest.
A protest was also staged outside the Leonora Police Station on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).
However, the situation intensified later in the day, resulting in the public road being blocked at Leonora, disrupting traffic flow. Persons were seen setting up a fireside, and cooking in the middle of the road.
Later in the evening, persons lit tires and blocked off the public road at Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD.
In a brief statement on Friday evening, President Ali said “There is no way blocking public roads, burning public infrastructure, and inconveniencing citizens will help little Adrianna’s cause or those interested in the truth.”
“These actions are now politically instigated and will not be accepted. They are unlawful and unhelpful, and action will be taken,” he added.Commander removed; hotel owner, staff, police ranks questioned
On Thursday, the Head of State had ordered a special investigation into Adrianna’s death.
Consequently, ranks of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Major Crimes Unit commenced work on Friday morning and cordoned off the Double Day Hotel as an active crime scene.
Detectives were seen at the hotel, sections of which were destroyed by fire on Thursday, combing through the debris, and taking photos and notes.
In a statement Friday night, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, disclosed that several persons, including the hotel’s owner and staff members, were questioned.
“Thus far, the investigators have contacted and questioned a number of individuals, including the proprietor of Double Day Hotel and Bar and his employees… Additionally, a security guard attached to the hotel, along with a swimming instructor, was interviewed by detective,” the statement from the Commissioner’s office detailed.
According to the missive, the investigators are still interviewing persons who can assist with the investigations.
Meanwhile, the Top Cop also revealed that a number of police ranks of Regional Division #3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were also questioned.
The actions of several members of the regional police team that responded to the report of the disappearance of Adrianna on Wednesday are under question, with both President Ali and Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo demanding answers – something that was supported by the Home Affairs Ministry.
In fact, the police had initially claimed that there was footage from the hotel, showing that the 11-year-old girl had entered a motorcar, which drove off in an eastern direction heading towards Vreed-en-Hoop.
But the family was adamant that the girl was still inside the hotel since they reviewed footage from a neighbour’s security camera, which showed no signs that the girl left the establishment at any time. She was only seen entering the premises with her relatives.
Hours after Adrianna’s body was discovered, the police admitted to releasing “inaccurate” information, but did not state specifically what it was; though it is widely speculated that it had to be about footage of the girl leaving the hotel.
This had sparked calls for the regional commander to be removed.Commissioner Hicken indicated in his Friday night statement that “an administrative decision” was taken to reassign the Commander of Regional Division #3, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Mandall. He has been sent to Regional Division #4B, East Bank Demerara (EBD), while Assistant Commissioner Mahindra Siewnarine has been posted to Regional Division #3 as the Commander. Siewnarine was previously commanding Regional Division #4B.

PME likely for Monday
Meanwhile, the Top Cop explained in his missive that the GPF is awaiting the conduct of a post-mortem examination (PME) on the body of Adrianna, as part of its investigation.
An autopsy on the girl’s body was initially scheduled to be done on Friday by Barbadian Pathologist, Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, whom the Guyana Government brought in late Thursday afternoon. Dr Paul had previously assisted local forensic experts with the identification of the nearly two dozen persons who died in the May 2023 Mahdia Dormitory fire.
However, during a meeting with Adrianna’s parents and other family members on Thursday night, President Ali agreed to their request for an independent pathologist, thus postponing the PME.
The family’s lawyer said on Friday that they are seeking a North America-based pathologist to conduct the autopsy on the child’s body. It is expected that the pathologist would travel to Guyana over the weekend, for a possible post-mortem examination on Monday.
“The Guyana Police Force is also awaiting the arrival of another independent pathologist, who was identified by family members of the deceased, to perform the post-mortem examination. The post-mortem examination is an important aspect of the investigation in order to confirm the cause of death of Adrianna Younge,” the Police Commissioner’s office stated. Shots were later reportedly fired at the Leonora Police Station by unknown persons, however this publication could not independently confirm this.The crowds were eventually dispersed by the TSU (Tactical Services Unit). Up to press time, persons taken for questioning remained in custody.