A man accused of entering Guyana illegally was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation against Markus [only name given to the court] is that between August 1 and August 29, at Springlands, he entered Guyana by sea without the consent of an immigration officer.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
No details of the case were presented to the court.
The prosecution made a successful request for the defendant to be remanded to prison, noting that he had not been cooperating with police investigations.
Police Corporal Venetta Pindar told the court that the accused claimed that he was a German National but the police have been unable to substantiate the claim as the accused had provided no documentation to them.
She further stated that in light of this, the lawmen have sought the assistance of Interpol as a means of verifying the man’s nationality.
When given a chance to speak, the accused, who told the court that Markus was his only name, related that he was from Germany. The Magistrate subsequently ordered the prosecution to ensure that the accused was given an opportunity to speak with an official from the German Consulate while in prison.
After listening to the prosecution’s submissions, the accused was informed that he would be remanded to prison. His matter was transferred to the Springlands Magistrates’ Court for November 14.
