$1M demanded from Brazilians for remains of Mazaruni accident victim

Jan 29, 2013 News

Helena Rodrigues, who survived the Mazaruni River boat accident that claimed 10 lives, including her reputed husband, Francisco Oliveira Alves, yesterday, expressed extreme discontent over the way her husband’s remains were handled.
Kaieteur News understands that the woman, a Brazilian national, was forced to seek the assistance of the Brazil Mining and General Association (BM&GA) as $1M was being demanded in exchange for Alves’ remains.

Francisco Oliveira Alves

Alves’s lifeless body was fished out of the Mazaruni River on Friday last, three days after the tragic accident. He was said to be 50 years old.
Antonio Szala, secretary of the association, told Kaieteur News that members of his organization had to visit the Parika Police station to inquire about the body. According to him, only then were the remains handed over. This is after it was left for several hours in the station compound.
Ranks at the station told Szala that the monetary request in exchange for the dead Brazilian, did not come from any police attached to the station.
Instead, he said that he was advised that the call was coming from a taxi driver who was transporting the family.
Szala said that it matters not who requested the money. He said that it all boils down to the fact that Brazilians are continuing to be taken advantage of in Guyana.
Further, he said that what made it even more unconscionable, is that the persons are going through a mournful period “and others can only think about making money” unlawfully.
He pointed that Brazilians have been making contributions to Guyana and should not be taken advantage of.