Government is yet to decide whether it will make the report of the Regional Security System (RSS) review into allegations made by Detective Sergeant, Dion Bascom public as findings or recommendations could potentially hamper related investigations.
“I don’t know. When we see the report. I don’t know whether, if in nature of findings, making it public would interfere with any future investigation or resulting investigation so I can’t answer that question right now,” Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn told the Stabroek News yesterday when contacted.
While sources told this newspaper that the report has been completed, Benn said that he was not aware of such a development, “I can’t say anything about it. I am not aware that it was completed or handed in,” he said.
The public, he said, would have to wait until the report is evaluated by government and a decision made on if to release it.
“Because if there is a finding, depending on the nature of the finding, making it public may hamper with an investigation…We will see when I get the report,” the Minister said.
Last week, Benn had said that after experiencing “some issues,” the timeline for the completion of the RSS review had been extended.
“… There was indeed or there is a timeline. There was an extension granted because of some other issues,” he told this newspaper. Without divulging details, Benn said the media will be informed once the process is completed. “As soon as it is done, a press release will be made as to the completion of the physical documentation and then time will have to be taken by us to study and act on any recommendation given.”
Benn pointed out that the RSS review that is being conducted will focus on all the allegations made by Bascom. “…There is a number of allegations made… There is a review of everything,” he noted.
Late last month, President Irfaan Ali had said that the RSS had been asked to review the allegations made by Bascom, including claims that there was a deliberate attempt by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to cover up the crime.
Last month, 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 force.
During a live Facebook video, which has since been removed, Bascom made allegations regarding the stalled Ricardo Fagundes murder probe, saying he believed his life was under threat 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.
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.
The GPF has since dismissed Bascom’s claims as “malicious and untrue.”
After he made the allegations, Bascom proceeded on sick leave. He has since returned to duty to his posting in Essequibo after a previous request to be reassigned went unaddressed.
The GPF Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigated the matter and their findings along with recommendations were forwarded to the DPP’s Chambers for legal advice.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that the police received legal advice to institute several criminal charges against Bascom. Sources had said Bascom is likely to face a total of seven charges.
Bascom is yet to be charged.
Bascom, through his attorney, Nigel Hughes, had written to President Ali seeking protection under the Protected Disclosures Act. The initial letter was sent to President Ali on Tuesday, August 16.
Hughes last week Tuesday again wrote to Ali seeking witness protection for his client who he said is “deeply concerned about his and his family’s safety.” He has not received any response as of yesterday.
Ali had previously said that he has to first assess the case but noted that the allocating of resources to ensure effective whistleblower legislation is a key matter for his administration.
