State making a mockery of the judicial process

Apr 26, 2010 News

Torture Teen Compensation case…

– Ramjattan
Attorney-at-Law Khemraj Ramjattan, who is representing teenager, Twyon Thomas who was tortured at the hands of police ranks at the Leonora Police Station, said that the defence being put up by the Attorney General is making a mockery of the Judicial Process.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud

Ramjattan told this newspaper that the AG feels that Constitutional Redress is dependent only upon a conviction of Sergeant Lall and Constable Dolai who were charged in relation to the incident.
“This is how our AG wants justice meted out to a young person who had his body set on fire in a Police Station…It is shameless to say the least. This State and the AG who hypocritically talk so much about caring for children and against violence directed at children.”
Ramjattan’s comments followed an affidavit in answer filed in response to Ramjattan’s case seeking compensation for the teen, where Assistant Commissioner Seelall Persaud denied knowledge of several of the charges made by Thomas.
According to Ramjattan, “The AG’s deponent, Seelall Persaud, Crime Chief, does himself no credit when in the various paragraphs in his answer, he says, “I have no knowledge, I have no knowledge” of what transpired although he himself said charges were instituted against Lall and Dolai.”
Ramjattan posited that charges would only be instituted if there is a sufficiency of cogent evidence to make a case.
“We all know that there is more than sufficient evidence of torture here.”
Ramjattan said that he is of the opinion that the AG just wants to delay justice.
“He should have admitted liability and let us get on with the quantum of compensation.”
The Crime Chief in his sworn affidavit which was drawn up by Attorney General, Charles Ramson, stated that he believes that the motion by Ramjattan against the Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene and the two ranks charged was bad in law and should be dismissed against them.
Persaud states that as far as he is aware, the Guyana Police Force does not sanction or facilitate the use of torture, threat, force or any other method to induce or compel an accused or persons detained to submit involuntary statements, confessions or other incriminating information.