Imam remanded on charges of sexually molesting boys
MUSLIM imam, Nizam Ali called ’Mufti’ has been charged on three counts following police investigations into the sexual molestation of boys at a masjid. He appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court, East Coast Demerara, before Magistrate Alex Moore yesterday, accused of having sexual intercourse with three boys under the age of 12 years and was remanded to prison until February 9.
The courtroom was cleared of media and other persons during the approximately two hours long proceedings. Only the mother of the accused and one of the mothers of the alleged victims were allowed to remain inside.
The charges stated that Ali engaged himself in sexual intercourse with three under-age boys at the Turkeyen Section ‘D’ masjid where the boys would usually take Islamic lessons given by him. It is alleged that Ali committed the acts, between December 2011 and January 2012, while he was in a trusted position as a religious teacher and knew or could be reasonably expected to have known of the trust in relation to the boys.
The accused was represented by defence counsel, Vic Puran, with Police Sergeant, Brown prosecuting.
Puran made a bail application for Ali, claiming his health is at risk of some sort but the prosecutor successfully objected, stating that flight might be an alternative for the accused.
Prior to the case being called yesterday, the accused and his mother, dressed in Mulism garb, were seen facing east and apparently praying.
The mother of one virtual complainant told the Guyana Chronicle her son had, indeed, tried to tell her about the molestation but she was, at that time, confused over what he was trying to say and the child did not pursue the discussion. He was under threat, as a gun had been brandished at him and the other boys.
She said she was shocked when welfare officers arrived at her home and was unaware of everything until the medical reports confirmed that her sons were molested.
Meanwhile, the children are still in custody of the Child Care and Protection Agency.
The charges against Ali and his court appearance followed weeks of investigations, during which police were criticised for taking too long to charge him and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack recused herself from advising on the probe.
Ali is an employee of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) from where he was sent on leave pending the outcome of the prosecution.