GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Opposition Chief Aubrey Norton Friday stated he fears for the security of the embattled Assistant Commissioner of Police, Calvin Brutus, after Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo challenged him to reveal no matter secrets and techniques or data he might have on the Guyana authorities.
Jagdeo, talking at his weekly information convention on Thursday, reported there was no political interference within the investigation of Brutus, who was launched on GUY$6.2 million (One Guyana greenback=US$0.004 cents) bail after he was slapped with 30 monetary crime fees for transactions totaling GUY$376.2 million. In distinction, his spouse was charged with two counts of cash laundering for allegedly having GUY$243.3 million within the account of her enterprise, South Quata, between December 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, and GUY$108.6 million in a “Triple ‘A’ Depot enterprise account.
“There was no political interference or cover-up of the matter. However APNU(A Partnerships for Nationwide Unity) wouldn’t consider that you might have a authorities that may do an neutral investigation,” Jagdeo informed reporters.
When questioned about considerations that Brutus might implicate public officers in wrongdoing and attainable crimes, he stated the federal government wouldn’t draw back from defending itself.
“We have now no worry in no matter he needs to say. We’ll take care of it later and on the applicable time, however do you see us anxious about this,” stated Jagdeo.
Brutus is going through greater than 240 fees linked to cash laundering, corruption, and different monetary crimes. He has maintained his innocence.
Exterior of the legal fees, he has filed an motion within the Excessive Court docket towards the Authorities, the Guyana Police Drive, and the Police Service Fee over the investigations carried out towards him. He stated the investigations have been tainted by political interference and different points.
On Friday, the Workplace of the Lawyer Basic circulated a Excessive Court docket doc indicating that Brutus “wholly discontinues and withdraws” the proceedings towards the respondents.
Norton informed reporters that he was anxious in regards to the security of the senior high cop after viewing statements from authorities officers up to now few days.
“I fear for Brutus as a result of whether or not it’s true or not, he ought to have his day in court docket and be capable to defend himself. However understanding the PPP (ruling Individuals’s Progressive Get together), they’ve a historical past of [being] concerned in executing individuals like that,” Norton informed reporters.
He stated there may be makes an attempt to quietly cowl up and finish the allegations of corruption towards Brutus and the Police to keep away from additional publicity of corruption throughout the system.
“I consider all of this factor with Brutus is a entrance, and they’re going to quietly work out how they’ll get Brutus out of this and withdraw as a result of I don’t suppose Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP might afford to have Brutus and senior policemen speaking about medicine within the North West and about all the illegalities which are occurring,” the Opposition Chief stated.
Norton stated that, just like the PPP, he believes the GPF is corrupt, unprofessional, and complicit in crime and corruption. It will be of no shock to him if it was found that different senior police officers and even authorities ministers are implicated within the corruption ring linked to the GPF.
“I don’t doubt that it includes sitting ministers – senior and junior. Undoubtedly, it includes high ranks within the Guyana Police Drive. That appears very apparent. That’s the reason I stated his life might be in peril,” Norton stated, including for these and different causes, he can’t assist the proposed appointment of Clifton Hicken because the substantive Commissioner of Police.
Hicken, presently appearing as Police Commissioner, is alleged to have permitted Brutus to have interaction in business actions. Norton stated if that is so, Hicken must also step down from the put up.
Opposition legislator Ganesh Mahipaul questioned the silence of the appearing Police Commissioner on the matter.
“His silence in all that’s unfolding proper now within the Guyana Police Drive surrounding the Brutus matter is deafening, and I’m discovering it tough as a citizen of this nation to even consider supporting his affirmation on the mere incontrovertible fact that he stays silent on all that’s taking place.
“On the finish of the day, he’s sitting in that workplace as the highest cop appearing, and right here you may have a scenario the place we noticed the SWAT group descending on the house of Mr. Brutus within the Guyana Police Drive compound, and the highest cop appears to not remember, or he has not stated something,” Mahipaul stated.
The Opposition additionally needs an unbiased worldwide group to launch a extra complete investigation into suspected acts of corruption throughout the pressure.
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