The CARICOM Regional Security System (RSS) review that is currently being done into the investigation into the murder of gold dealer, Ricardo Fagundes will advise local authorities on what steps needs to be taken and whether any support is required to address the issue.
“A review advises us like we had with the Henry boys, where the RSS was also involved as to the quality and nature of investigation and what steps to take and what support needs to be bought in to do whatever it be to get to the issues at hand,” Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn yesterday told Stabroek News in an invited comment.
Benn declined to divulge any further details on the matter. “I am not going into anything further in this matter. I already said that…..When the time that we need to say something (comes), we will have it done,” he said.
Two weeks ago, Detective Sergeant Dion Bascom went public following his arrest in connection with a drug bust to air his frustrations over what he described as mistreatment that he and other ranks have faced while serving the GPF.
During a live Facebook video, which has since been removed, Bascom made allegations regarding the stalled Fagundes murder probe, saying he believed his life was under threat and that his arrest was part of the conspiracy to initiate his killing and that there was a cover-up by police of the slaying.
He also claimed that a senior policeman was paid $30 million to bury the Fagundes case and implicated others as being linked to the crime, prompting the threat of lawsuits.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has since dismissed Bascom’s claims, by describing them as “malicious and untrue”.
Earlier this week, President Irfaan Ali disclosed that the RSS has been asked to review the investigation into the murder of Fagundes. The lead investigator of the team is currently in Guyana.
The government’s decision to ask the RSS for assistance in the Fagundes murder probe comes in the wake of mounting pressure for an international probe into the allegations made by Bascom.
Sources had said “all aspects of the investigation,” including allegations made by Bascom that there was a deliberate attempt by the GPF to cover up the crime, are being looked at.
However, observers have raised questions as to what a “review” will accomplish since there is a clear need for a full scale investigation into the allegations levelled by Bascom.
Furthermore, it is unclear what exactly the RSS is reviewing in terms of files and documentation.
Details about the team member who is currently here remain unknown.
Fagundes, who was a close friend of Khan, was riddled with bullets by two men outside Palm Court on the evening of Sunday, March 21, last year.
At the time of the attack, he was approaching a parked vehicle owned by convicted drug trafficker, Roger Khan.
An autopsy later confirmed that Fagundes was shot about 20 times about his body. Khan would later say he was the intended target of the attack. The police recovered 30 spent shells at the scene. Sixteen were from an AK-47 rifle, while the other fourteen were from a 9mm weapon. To date, the murder remains unsolved.
The Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigated the matter and their findings along with recommendations were forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers for legal advice.
Stabroek News was reliably informed on Wednesday that the police received legal advice to institute several criminal charges against Bascom.
Sources say Bascom is expected to face a total of seven charges.
Bascom had claimed that he was one of the officers who arrived at the scene following the shooting of Fagundes. According to Bascom, he and other officers were able to track the phone used by the prime suspect and the calls he made before and after the shooting.
He had also further alleged that he played a key role in pursuing one of the suspects in the murder of Fagundes.
During a press conference last week, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that it was Khan, who provided the names of two suspects who allegedly committed the crime.
Blanhum had also said that the force does not have any equipment that was being described by Bascom and maintained that at no point was Bascom ever present at the crime scene on official duty.
After he made the allegations, Bascom proceeded on sick leave.
Bascom, who had made a request to President Ali for witness protection, has since returned to duty.
His return to duty was confirmed by his attorney, Nigel Hughes.
He has returned to his posting in Essequibo after a previous request to be reassigned went unaddressed.
