…to be questioned, extradited if necessary
…Top cop says investigations have gone to a significant stage

FORMER Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, is being investigated for alleged bribery and the illegal movement of gold from the State of Guyana, Commissioner of Police Leslie James confirmed on Friday.

The police chief during a news conference at the commissioner’s boardroom, Eve Leary, told media operatives that although Persaud is in Canada, he will be contacted when the Force reaches that stage of the investigation.

He said that if Persaud refuses to return to Guyana for questioning and there is need for extradition, it will be processed. James said that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is gathering evidence at this point into the allegations in the aftermath of a report made to police.
The commissioner sidestepped questions on anything pertaining to links of the investigation being carried out because of the no-confidence vote in parliament on the night of December 21, 2018. “I am saying that following a report we have caused an investigation to commence, it’s still ongoing, at the conclusion of the investigation, we will seek legal advice, the commissioner said.

Describing the matter as sensitive, the commissioner said the investigations have gone to a significant stage. He said that a number of statements were taken from various persons and whatever information is gathered, those leads are being followed. Further, James said that the Force interviewed multiple gold dealers who have corroborated as part of the investigation.

“The person we are investigating is innocent until proven guilty and I will not be prejudicial with this investigation, this is an impartial investigation we are undertaking,” the top cop asserted. “We are not seeking to manufacture anything, whatever is given to us is being taken and we will submit for legal advice, the advice given to us, we will respond to it.” Noting that the Force will not be hiding anything, the commissioner said any developments on the matter will be made public through himself or the public relations unit.

When asked if the Minister of Public Security had contacted him about providing security for Charrandass, the commissioner said he was contacted and assured the minister that security will be provided for anyone who faces a threat.

The People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) is on record as saying that the former AFC Member of Parliament was allegedly bribed by the opposition. Persaud has since denied the allegations. However, Persaud had admitted to a dubious transaction where he was attempting to purchase some US$1M in gold.

At a news conference on Thursday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo sought again to distance his party from allegations that they bribed Persaud to vote in their party’s favour. Jagdeo’s top adviser, Peter Ramsaroop, had breach security protocol at the Ogle Airport to sprint Persaud away one day after the vote.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan recently told a news conference at his party’s headquarters that he is not aware of any attempts or plan on the night of December 21 to harm Persaud after he voted in favour to topple the government.

The security minister said that given the nature of the vote, he knew that had anything happened to Persaud, it would have reflected very badly on the government and as such, the necessary steps were taken to provide security for him. Ramjattan also denied having any knowledge of plans to harm Charrandass once he returns to Guyana, be it to answer charges or otherwise.

Persaud is reported to have said that he received information that efforts are afoot to have him killed either on the road or once he is sent to prison, to have him hang in his prison cell. Minister Ramjattan rubbished these claims and told the Guyana Chronicle that Persaud is using these excuses as a means of not coming back to Guyana.