Imam goes on trial in camera
…at Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court
MUSLIM scholar, Imam Nizam Alli, known as ‘Mufti’, of ‘A’ Field, Sophia, made another appearance in court for trial yesterday.
Earlier this year, Alli was charged with allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with boys under the age of 12 at the Turkeyen Masjid, East Coast Demerara, where the boys would usually go to him to take lessons in the Quran and Arabic language. These acts were allegedly committed between December 2011 and January 2012, while the accused had been in a trusted position as a religious teacher, and could be reasonably expected to have known of the trust reposed in him by the boys.
The Imam’s trial was held at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court, and the accused was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Vic Puran and Latchmi Rahamat, who is associated with Mr. Peter Hugh. Prosecuting for the state was Police Sergeant, Bernard Browne.
The matter was called in camera, hence members of the media and the general public was asked to exit the courtroom before proceedings began.
The proceedings in court yesterday were kept at a hush, as the officials who were present in court during the hearing were forbidden to relate information to the media.
The matter was adjourned to April 17, when Magistrate Moore hopes to conclude same.
Alli’s previous appearance in court was on March 30, when he was slapped with charges of two additional counts of rape committed on two other underage boys.
The children are still in care of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), which had previously questioned the delay in instituting charges against the Imam, since the victims had already been examined and were confirmed to have been sexually violated.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had, however, stated that the delays were aimed at ensuring that a proper investigation had been conducted.
The Imam was accompanied by his mother, who, dressed in Muslim garb, was seen praying before court had commenced. Alli, on the other hand, looked completely relaxed as he awaited the start of proceedings into his matter.
One of the mothers of the boys was also present in court yesterday, and distress was clearly evident on her face as she wept.
Alli was charged earlier this year with a series of sexual molestation (rape) offences committed on approximately five other children, and it is likely that more charges will follow in future.
Meanwhile, relatives of some of the victims, who were also at the court yesterday, expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the matter. They were, however, disappointed at the fact that Alli had been put on bail.
The charges ended widespread speculation that the investigation had been compromised by the alleged involvement of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Shalimar Ali Hack.
The DPP assured that she would have dealt with the matter fairly, as Alli is an employee of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG). However, she eventually recused herself from offering advice in the matter.
Alli was sent on leave by the CIOG pending the outcome of the court hearing.