Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack yesterday denied that she made attempts to have a Muslim scholar accused of sexually assaulting four boys released from police custody.
“I have not in any way interfered with the police investigations in this matter. The police are free to conduct their independent investigations and to even proceed with the institution of charges without the advice of the DPP,” Ali-Hack said in a press release, hours after reports surfaced in the media.
The statement was released shortly after this newspaper contacted the DPP’s chambers yesterday afternoon for comment.
It is alleged that the scholar molested the children who are all members of the Masjid and to whom he had become very close, after teaching them for some time. He has since been sent on leave, while investigations are ongoing.
Questions have also been raised about whether the DPP should recuse herself from participating in any deliberations on this matter as she is married to a senior official of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), to which the Masjid in question is affiliated.
Ali-Hack’s statement noted that the Office of the DPP is a constitutional office and that office and duties are taken seriously. “I act in accordance with the law and the evidence before me in a professional and objective manner.
The case of the Islamic Scholar will be no exception,” Ali-Hack stated, before stressing that she does not “act according to race, religion or politics.”
Concerns have been raised as to whether it would be appropriate for the matter to be forwarded to the DPP, in the wake of the allegation. Matters pertaining to sexual abuse are forwarded to the DPP for advice.
When contacted on the issue yesterday, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, while pointing out that he is unaware of the allegation being made, noted that the DPP cannot instruct police; it advises.
“I do not know that she called anyone in relation to this matter,” he said.
The scholar who is attached to the Turkeyen Masjid is accused of sexually molesting the boys, aged 4 to 10 years old, and was arrested by police and later released on station bail.
Minister of Human Services Jennifer Webster told this newspaper that the Child Care and Protective Agency (CCPA) received an anonymous tip earlier this week and began an investigation.
This resulted in the police being contacted and the man being arrested.
The children are now in the care of the CCPA.
The CIOG has since said that the man has been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
