Suspected AK-47 bandit charged over attempted murder of Brazilian

Orrel Amsterdam, who police say shot a Brazilian miner in an attempted robbery in Mahdia, was yesterday remanded to prison on a charge of attempted murder.
Amsterdam, 33, of 193 One Mile Wismar, Linden, was charged with attempting to murder Hosea Paulo Ferrier Lima, on March 6, 2010 at Mahdia. He was also accused of attempting to commit a felony, being robbery under arms.
Amsterdam, himself a miner, was not required to plead to the indictable charges when they were read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Police prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that Lima was walking in the Konawaruk Backdam area, in Mahdia, with seven ounces of raw gold when he was ambushed by Amsterdam.
According to Harvey, Amsterdam was carrying an AK-47 assault rifle at the time of the incident and discharged three rounds, hitting Lima in the leg while he was attempting to relieve him of the gold.
After police investigations were carried out, Harvey said, Amsterdam was later arrested and charged.
The matters were transferred to the Mahdia Magistrates’ Court for January 19.