Ukrainians remanded for assaulting Guyanese miners

The two Ukrainians who allegedly assaulted and threatened two Guyanese miners were on Tuesday taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Vitaly Paraschuck, 38, whose local address was given as Lot A 173 Robin’s Place, Bel Air Park, Georgetown and Maksym Furtak, 33, who was stationed at Quartzstone, Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) where the incident occurred, denied the allegations through a translator.
The men who were represented by Attorney-at-Law Mark Waldron answered to their charges separately.
It is alleged that Paraschuck, on August 3, 2018 at Quartzstone Backdam, Cuyuni River, while employed as a coordinator and security officer by the West Bank Demerara Gold Incorporated Security Service, failed to wear his uniform prescribed by the Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while on duty.
It is also alleged that on the same day at the same location, he made use of threatening behaviour – by pointing a gun – at Charles Clarke, thereby breaching the peace.
Paraschuck also reportedly unlawfully assaulted Clarke so as to cause him actual bodily harm.
The charges against Furtak, who is a general manager of the company, stated that on August 3, 2018 at the same location, he failed to wear his uniform prescribed by the Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while on duty.
He is also being charged for allegedly making use of threatening behaviour to Rudolph Deane, thereby breaching the peace on July 28 at the said location.
Attorney Waldron, in his bail application, told Chief Magistrate McLennan that his

clients did not pose a flight risk, since they have already lodged their passports with the Police.
He revealed that West Bank Demerara Gold Incorporated Security Service has taken the decision to have the men remain in Georgetown until the matter is completed.
The men are also said to be cooperating with investigators.
However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail, noting that the men had no ties to Guyana as no local address was given for one of the defendants as well as contrary to the claims of their attorney, their passports have not been lodged with the Police and as such, they pose a flight risk.
Prosecutor Mansfield also informed the Court that the men were supernumerary constables (a supernumerary is a fully sworn officer who has the same powers as other officers, but does not hold a full-time position or is licensed to carry a firearm).
Both men were remanded to prison. The case will continue on August 23 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
Meanwhile, Guyanese security clerk Charles Clark was charged for failing to wear his uniform prescribed by the Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while he was on duty.
However, he was released on $10,000 bail, since there was no objection to bail. Clarke will also make his next appearance on August 23.
It has been reported that the assault on the two miners took place at the Quartzstone River two weeks ago, but an official report was made to the Police only last week.
Upon making this report, one of the miners was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined and treated by a doctor. He was discharged, and subsequently led a team of Police ranks to the area, resulting in the two guards, who were initially reported as being Russian, 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

registered his concern over the contents 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.
He explained that the interior is known to be like the “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.