Dear Editor,
As part of a wider campaign of concern and outrage over the multi-billion-dollar tax evasion, money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud probe involving a Guyanese family conduit and Chinese businesspersons in Guyana and China, a small group of individuals were planning a picket exercise today (Tuesday), outside of the Chinese Embassy on Mandela Avenue.
It seems that in response to questions by the Stabroek News, the Embassy indicated its readiness to assist in the probe. In recognition of that willingness, and to allow the Chinese to deliver on their commitment, we have decided to postpone our planned exercise.
There is nothing in the Stabroek News report to suggest that SOCU, which is spearheading the investigations, had approached the Embassy over the three years of its investigation which culminated in charges against a working-class Guyanese family, including one of conspiracy. SOCU needs to act on the initiative of the Stabroek News. But it needs to be clear about the assistance it seeks on the Chinese businesses, both in Guyana and in China, which were part of this international scam. It must do so cognisant of the close relationship between the Embassy and local businesses and that the Chinese state often uses businesses as its surrogates.
The press has also reported that Anil Nandlall SC, Attorney General, has asked the Regional Security System’s (RSS) Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) to assist in ”certain high-profile ongoing investigations of money laundering”. The benefit of bringing in another body into the investigation after three years is questionable and we can only hope that Mr. Nandlall’s invitation was well thought out.
Yours faithfully,
Christopher Ram