President Irfaan Ali stated yesterday that once the Regional Security System’s (RSS) review of allegations made by police detective Dion Bascom has been completed and tabled, he will ask the police to share the findings.
“Once that report is completed and tabled … then I will urge the police to share the findings of the report,” the President yesterday said when asked by Stabroek News about his government’s stance in making the report public.
Ali noted that he was not officially informed that the report has been completed but the last he knew was that the RSS team was working on their investigations with the aim of concluding the report as quickly as possible.
He disclosed that he had “urged them to address this issue with great efficiency.”
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, had on Tuesday told this newspaper that he was not aware that the report had been completed or handed in and that government would have to wait until the report is evaluated and a decision made as to whether it should be released.
He said that it would have to be treated with caution in the event that findings or recommendations could potentially hamper related investigations.
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, Presi-dent 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 describ-ed 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 link-ed to the crime, prompting the threat of lawsuits.
Bascom had also 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 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.”
Attorney Nigel Hughes had written to President Ali on Bascom’s behalf, 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.
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.
The President did not yesterday address the issue of protection for Bascom.
