By Nafeeza Yahya

FIVE men appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Number 51 Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with the murder of fisherman, Hemchand Sukdeo.They are 19-year-old Stephan Leacock of Lot 366 #77 Village; 23-year-old Ramchan Latchman, of #65 Village; Leon Sammy, 29, of Lot 1 #75 Village; Ganesh Naidoo, 41 of #79 Village and Ramesh Singh, 53 of Liverpool Village, all on the Corentyne Coast.
The alleged pirates were unrepresented and were not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder; they were remanded to prison and will make their second court appearance on July 6.
It is alleged that on May 28, the five men attacked three fishing vessels in the Lower Shell Area off Nickerie, Suriname. In the aftermath of the attack, 45-year- old Hemchand Sukdeo, known as “Dread” of #55 Village, was discovered in a seine with wounds to the head.
Police acting on information received from the captain of one of the hijacked boats, Seepersaud Persaud, of Corriverton, were able to detain a boat matching the description of the one used during the attack and the five men were on board at the time. It is also alleged that one of the men confessed to the act during interrogation.
It is alleged that Latchman, who is a father of two, was captain of the vessel at the time of the attack and is also believed to be the mastermind.
During an interview with this newspaper, Latchman’s wife broke down in tears and related that she does not believe the men committed the act, since she feels they are incapable of being so barbaric.
Meanwhile, the search for three fishermen continues, with little hope of finding them alive. Based on reports received, the pirates were armed with cutlasses when they carried out the attack. The captain was rescued by another vessel after swimming for almost three hours.

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is expected to meet with family members of the victims of the pirate attack as well as fishermen to listen to concerns as they relate to safety at sea.