These unwarranted arrests leave more questions than answers

May 26, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The Kaieteur News headline titled: “US denies allegations surrounding cleric’s arrest”, has once again exposed the lies and deceptions of this current PPP/C administration.
It is clear the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was used as a weapon by the authorities to justify the unwarranted detention of the Cleric, Mr. Akbar Muhammad, Mr. Simon and young Tyrone Seymour. This recent arbitrary infringement of the individual’s right only seeks to remind Guyanese of the depth a communist, kind of, regime would go to silence those who they are suspicious of, or whom they consider might be acting contrary to their thinking.
To trump up drugs and terrorism allegations against innocent people are not only wicked but also deadly. In addition, since the police indicated that they were acting on information received from the US informing them that Muhammad was on a mission to plan and organise for a terrorist attack, it is time the police disclose the source through which this information was had. With the recent denial of the US, authorities of this miscalculated lie, the onus in now on the Guyana Police Force to demonstrate that it acted independently and free of political interference.
While Guyanese are certain that this plot on the cleric was politically orchestrated by the ruling elite, the Guyana Police Force will have to demonstrate that the arresting ranks acted with reasonable cause, and were not merely responding to wishes of the political directorates. Failing to do this would only confirm the view that the police force is but a mere utensil of the PPP/C, to be used at the government’s ‘whims and fancy‘.
There is no doubt that, the majority of the force might comprise of decent and humane police officers who are interested in upholding the laws of the land. However, there are those that have allowed themselves to be manipulated by the political powers of the day but for ‘a few dollars more‘. We might ask how is it that the Guyana Police Force was able to, so swiftly, find and arrest a visiting American on drug trafficking allegations when the same force, watched Roger Khan, the most notoriously known drug dealer (now convicted in the US) in Guyana, walk the streets, uninhibited.
Was it because of the PPP/C’s involvement with Roger Khan? Then the next question follows was the, US citizen, and Nation of Islam Advisor Akbar Muhammad, arrest and detention an act of retaliation by the Guyana government for Roger Khan’s conviction in the US? This incident leaves more questions than answers. Next question, was the fact that the cleric is Muslim, associated to the Farrakhan organisation, bring guidance and hope to black youths through education, were reasons for his arrest? Alternatively, was he just at the wrong place at a wrong time, meaning Guyana in an election year. Additionally, why was he asked about his political affiliations, when he is not Guyanese and not even registered to vote? Is every person now entering Timehri asked to declare his or her political association? Are we now living the Hitler days?
Something is not right about this situation, and the government and its compatriots have not said much since this incident, why thes silence, where is ‘Mr. Blood on Hands’, is he formulating his “cuss out speech” for the US and the PNCR?
This scenario is more complicated than most of us can imagine, it also prompts us to look at the issue from the eyes of the man who knows no one, and has no voice. For instance, what if Mr. Mohamed was uninformed, simple, had no connection to a known organisation; had no means of getting legal representation or could have been easily bullied or made to sign a confession statement? On the other hand, suppose he was just an ordinary Guyanese with no connection, what might have been his fate?
One can only wonder how many, with no voices, are languishing in jail for trumped up charges of terrorism; drug trafficking etc. And what about young Tyrone Seymour, will he be able to live an uneventful live void of police allegations and attacks; will he now have to look over his shoulders once he still lives in Guyana? Let us not forget Tyrone Seymour in this entire unfortunate episode. The crime chief, Mr. Seelall Persaud, has just confirmed that there might be a resurgence of contract and revenge killings, very unfortunate pronouncements from a ‘top cop’. I expect the police to make statements conforming that Mr. Seymour will not be intimidated or unreasonably harassed by the authorities.
We have all witnessed how vindictive and repressive this PPP/C regime is, and it becomes even more cruel and vicious once it has been caught red-handed, like in this case where the US ‘skin dem up’, as the boys would say. I urge the police to be professional and allow Mr. Seymour to live free of harassment. I ask all Guyanese to keep this young man in our prayers, as he might now be, as the crime chief would say, ‘on police radar’.
As a citizen, interest in the well-being and future of our young people I want to thank Mr. Simon and Cleric Muhammad for their kind gesture, of attempting to encourage young Guyanese to stay on the right path. I believe their mission was a very unselfish and noble one; I salute you gentlemen for being part of that community committed to raising our children, and guiding them in the right direction.
Any government should welcome and applaud such noble acts. I am indeed saddened by your recent experience with the Guyana government and police force, and wish that I were in a position to offer all three of you an unconditional apology on behalf of these two important national entities.
However, as a citizen of this beautiful country, Guyana, I, on my own behalf, apologises to you gentlemen for the manner in which you were treated. Let me assure you that the brutal and cruel manner in which you were treated is not reflective of the attitude of the decent warm and hospitable Guyanese people.
It was unfortunate, but understandably so, that you had to abandon your mission so prematurely. Hoping that you can return sometime in the near future to continue to inspire and guide our youth, who I know will be more than grateful for this engagement.
Lurlene Nestor

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