Corbin will provide list but insists on int’l probe

Nov 01, 2009 News

Leader of the main opposition party, Robert Corbin, is gearing to provide the Guyana Police Force with a list of some 450 names of people murdered in recent years, purportedly by the Shaheed ‘Roger Khan Gang.
In a letter attached with the compilation of names and addressed to Linden Lord, an
Assistant Superintendent who is Head of Task Force, Criminal Investigation Department, Corbin states that he was quite surprised to learn that Lord had visited his (Corbin) office and requested a copy of the list of persons allegedly killed by ‘Roger’ Khan.
“It is my understanding that the law requires the Commissioner of Police to investigate and where necessary have inquests held for all unusual deaths in Guyana. Consequently, it is the Guyana Police Force that ought to be the official custodian of such vital information. Your request must therefore raise serious questions of the work of the GPF over the past eight years,” Corbin says.
“I am sure that you are well aware of the position of the PNCR and, indeed, all other opposition political parties in Guyana on this issue. Our position is that any investigation/inquiry into the atrocities committed over several years in Guyana resulting in the deaths of over 400 persons, allegedly by a “phantom squad” headed by ‘Roger’ Khan in collaboration with elements of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and sanctioned by Senior Government officials, ought to be conducted by an international body.”
According to Corbin, “The reasons are obvious. Mr. Khan, in a full page advertisement in the local newspapers, announced that he was carrying out these killings in collaboration with the security forces.”
He pointed out that the Police have not to date issued a denial.
He added also that Sean Benfield, a then serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was among the ‘Roger’ Khan group arrested with arms, ammunition and the, now infamous, “spy computer” at Good Hope on the East Coast of Demerara several years ago while in a special armour protected vehicle.
Corbin, in the letter seeks to find out whether the investigation includes ranks of the Guyana Police Force who were allegedly involved such as Eon Smith, called “Gangsta”, who was fingered as having committed one of the murders by “a witness whose sworn Affidavit I submitted to the Police several years ago.”
According to Corbin, the investigation cannot be limited to persons killed by ‘Roger’ Khan, but should include all persons killed during the period of criminal activities to determine those who are responsible, including but not limited to ‘Roger’ Khan, the “phantom squad”, the GPF or state officials.
“The PNCR has also stated that such an investigation is unlikely to succeed in the absence of a proper witness protection programme to guarantee the security of those who have been invited to come forward with evidence.
“Without prejudice to the PNCR’s stated position, however, I am providing you with a list containing the names of four hundred and fifty (450) citizens who were shot to death, unlawfully tortured and killed or died in suspicious circumstances between the period 1993 and 2009.”
Africo Selman of the PNCR, during the party’s press briefing on Thursday last, stated that the Office of the Leader of the Opposition was visited twice over the past week by Officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), of the Guyana Police Force requesting a copy of the list of persons allegedly killed by ‘Roger’ Khan.

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Corbin will provide list but insists on int’l probe

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