Kevin Fiedtkou, the man who was abducted from the Giftland parking lot on October 10th has expressed frustration at the sloth in the investigation of two cops who were alleged conspirators in the crime.
Around 10 weeks have passed and the police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have gone back and forth without a conclusion to the investigation.
The police say they are still awaiting legal advice in connection with the charges against the two serving members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who are being investigated for conspiracy with the three men involved in the October 10 abduction.
This update was provided to Stabroek News by Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean, who on Saturday confirmed that the one of the three suspects, Okeemo Arak Brummell for whom a wanted bulletin was issued by the police on October 16, is still on the run. Meanwhile, the investigation is still ongoing in relation to the two others involved in the abduction. The commander also noted that the file containing the facts of the investigation was returned to police for additional information and then returned to the office of the DPP for legal advice.
On Saturday, Fiedtkou, a 31-year-old operations supervisor attached to Aurora Gold Mining Inc, related to this newspaper that when he asked the police for an update on his matter, he was told that they are awaiting information from the DPP.
He added, “Those police walking freely enjoying life, even have the car they did the abduction with as if nothing happened.” The clearly disappointed man added that “Justice seems like a farfetched something, it is definitely wrong here and I’m staying away from that station as that’s the station the two police worked at where I have to go to inquire about the progress of the case.”
Fiedtkou also said that things are not and will never be the same for him and his family, but expressed optimism that justice will one day be served.
“Against all odds I’m still hoping for justice”, he said. When asked if he feels free to leave his home now, Fiedtkou explained that he is not able to leave his home as he is supposed to and since the incident, life isn’t the same for him. Nevertheless, he said, “I still have a family to feed and bills to pay, I cannot afford to be affected that much, that I’m not able to provide for my family… I explained to my former employers I’ve invested years working with that company and I cannot afford security as it’s too expensive nor would I trust to leave my family as my place of work was miles into the interior… I’ve resigned from my workplace, at least until these people are caught… and even then, leaving my family is always a risk.”
He further related that during his 10 years of working with the mining company located in the interior, he missed out on important milestones and holidays. And while everyone was enjoying life on the road, he had invested his time and effort at work as a labourer and through perseverance he became the youngest mill operations supervisor, all with hope that one day he would have a prosperous business close to home where he can spend more time with his family. “… thank God I have my small business running already but operating it, I’m always having to worry about who’s watching so they reap the benefits of my hard work…”
The police had stated that Fiedtkou reported that around 12:30 hours on the date of the attack, three men held him against his will at the Giftland Mall compound. They then took him to his home at Providence, East Bank Demerara, where he handed over $9,500,000. Fiedtkou said the men also removed his network video recording (NVR) device.
The man told Stabroek News that he was on his way to wash his pickup when he was abducted by the trio. He said the men claimed to be policemen, bur when he asked for their identification, none was provided.
Fiedtkou further related that he has a small sand truck business which generates a cash flow for him and at the time, he had $9.5 million at home, which the men took along with his NVR. The following day, the same men revisited in a police car and demanded more money which he did not have. He said he eventually gave the men whatever loose cash he had and they left his home. Fiedtkou said that after some careful consideration about which station to report the matter to, he proceeded to do so. (Subhana Shiwmangal)