TWO Chinese nationals, Zhengji Zhen and Guang Jin Ye appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday on a joint charge of uttering a forged document. They both pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, on November 28, at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with intent to defraud, they uttered, to an immigration officer, a forged letter dated November 17, 2010, purporting to show that it was from the Ministry of Home Affairs, knowing it to be false.

Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, objected to bail for the defendants, on the ground that they might flee the jurisdiction and there is a likelihood of other charges against them.
The Prosecutor said the letter stated that, when the defendants enter Guyana, they must be granted visas.

Attorney-at-law Ms. Kim Kyte-John, for the Defence, said the foreigners trusted someone in Guyana to do the documentation but it turned out to be false.
The lawyer said Zhen and Ye are in this country to transact business and will be obtaining permission to remain in the correct way.

The magistrate overruled the Police objection to pre-trial freedom after Defence Counsel informed the Court that the defendants’ passports are lodged at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Surety for the duo was set at $200,000 each and the case was postponed to January 17, 2011.