-PNCR says list of 450 names to be provided
Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) visited the Office of Opposition Leader Robert Corbin twice in the past week seeking information on persons allegedly killed by drug trafficker Roger Khan.
PNCR MP Africo Selman yesterday said the CID officers requested a copy of the list of persons allegedly killed by Khan, as part of what is believed to be the special probe by police into murders allegedly committed by gangs controlled by Khan and now dead fugitive Rondell `Fineman’ Rawlins, among others. But no information was handed over, according to Selman, who noted that an oral request was made. She, however, added that the information would be handed over by Corbin personally. She said he would provide the police with a list containing the names of four hundred and fifty citizens who were shot to death, unlawfully tortured and killed or died in suspicious circumstances between the period 1993 and 2009. “The PNCR believes that it is the assignment of the Task Force to determine who were responsible for these deaths, whether by ‘Roger’ Khan or other persons,” Selman noted.
The police force has set up a special unit to carry out the probe and has called “on all individuals, organisations or groups” with information or vital evidence concerning the alleged murders as well as “individuals who may be involved” to come forward and provide whatever information or evidence that may be available.
Selman described the request by the police as strange, saying that it raises serious questions about the work of the police force over the past eight years since it ought to be the official custodian of information on all unusual deaths.
She also reiterated the joint opposition position that any investigation of the atrocities committed by Khan ought to be conducted by an international body, noting the alleged complicity of members of the police force as well as tacit approval by members of the government. “The investigation cannot be limited to persons allegedly killed by Roger Khan, but should include all persons killed during the period of criminal activities to determine those who are responsible, including but not limited to Roger Khan, the “phantom squad,” the [Guyana Police Force] or state officials,” she said, “The PNCR has also stated that such an investigation is unlikely to succeed in the absence of a proper witness protection programme to guarantee the security of those who have been invited to come forward with evidence.”
Selman recalled that in a full-page advertisement in the local newspapers, Khan had announced that he was carrying out these killings in collaboration with the security forces-to which the police force has not issued a denial to date. Further, she pointed out that Sean Benfield, at the time a serving member of the force, was among the Khan group arrested with arms, ammunition and spy equipment at Good Hope on the East Coast of Demerara several years ago, while in a special armour protected vehicle.