Trial into piracy attack which left 5 fishermen dead winding down

The trial of two men, who are charged in connection with a piracy attack that left five fishermen dead, is winding down before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Berbice.
Premnauth Persaud, also known as “Sand Bat”, 47, of Comarty Village, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is charged with five counts of murder. He has pleaded not guilty.
It is alleged that between April 14, 2018, and June 3, 2018, he murdered Bandara (only name given) called “Spanish Man” or “Dora”; Lalta Sumair called “Bora” or “Puduck”; and Lokesh De Couite; on board the vessel Joshua SK 1418 that was under attack during piracy.
He is also accused of murdering Mahesh Sarjoo called “Kuba” or “Vishal”; and Tilaknauth Mohabir called “Camion” or “Kaimon”, “Pollom” or “Palam” and “Cold Record”, between April 14, 2018, and June 3, 2018, on board the vessel, Romina SK 764 that was under attack during piracy.

Nakool Manohar called “Fyah”, 43, of Number 43 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was indicted on two charges which alleged that between the aforementioned dates, he counselled, procured, and commanded Persaud and others unknown to murder the five fishermen.
Manohar, too, has pleaded not guilty.
Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat was granted a fiat by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute the case in association with State Counsel Nafeeza Baig.
Besides these five fishermen, 15 others are still missing and are considered dead.
According to reports, the piracy attack reportedly stemmed from the execution-style killing of Somnath Manohar, who was gunned down on March 30, 2018, in Suriname. As a result of Somnath Manohar’s death, his brother Nakool Manohar had travelled to Suriname and had offered US$50,000 to the pirate gang allegedly headed by Persaud, to take revenge for his brother’s death.  The fishermen’s badly decomposed remains were discovered in Surinamese waters. Police had to rely on DNA testing to properly identify them. (G1)