The two Ukrainian security guards who were seen assaulting Guyanese miners in a video that went viral are expected to be arraigned for several criminal charges on Tuesday.
The men were arrested days after the incident, and are expected to make their appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after the Police sought legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
According to information received, 38-year-old Vitaly Paraschuck has been slapped with two counts of threatening behaviour and assault causing actual bodily harm committed on Guyanese miner Charles Clarke. And 33-year-old Maksym Furtak has been charged with threatening behaviour committed on Rudolph Deane.
In addition, the Ukrainians and Charles Clarke will be charged separately for contravention of the Private Security Services Act of 2009, for failing to wear their
The two Ukrainians during the assault on Guyanese miners
prescribed uniforms.
The men have each been released on $50,000 station bail, and have been ordered to lodge their travel documents at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.
It has been reported that the assault on the two miners took place at the Quartzstone River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) two weeks ago, but an official report was made to the Police only last week.
Upon receiving this report, one of the aggrieved miners was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined and treated by a doctor. He was discharged, and would have led a team of Police ranks to the area, resulting in the two Russian guards being arrested.
Upon their arrest, they were informed that at the time of the incident, they were not attired in the uniform prescribed by their employer and approved by the Guyana Police Force.
Following the incident, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has since noted his concern with regards the content of the video.
“I am concerned about foreigners having weapons; licensed weapons. I am told that precepts were issued. A precept is really a kind of permission given by the Police Force to persons to act as security guards and also to carry firearm licences. I am concerned about that, and the number of persons who may have them,” Trotman disclosed.
Trotman explained that the interior is known to be “Wild West”, and so the number of guns present there would have a direct bearing on the levels of crime and violence in the area.
“It also tells us that people expect or need a greater Police presence, and so I believe Government is looking at that. We recently launched the Corps of Wardens, and that Corps of Wardens will come alongside the Police Force, when necessary, to assist not just with law and order, but of course to ensure that the laws (such as) mining laws, forest laws, wildlife protection laws etcetera, are respected,” the minister added.
Also weighing in on the issue, the Guyana Trades Union Congress has called on the Government to send a strong message regarding its responsibility and commitment to respecting and defending the sovereignty of Guyana, its people and the Rule of Law.
It was initially reported that the men were Russians, but Police confirmed on Monday that the mean are Ukrainians.
