As the police investigations into the recent piracy attack on 20 Guyanese fishermen continues, a 39-year-old businessman was charged with  armed robbery committed on two fishing vessels years ago.

Nakool Manohar called “Fyah” of Number 43 Village Corentyne Berbice, is one of the man suspects in the gruesome piracy attacks committed on the Guyanese fishermen off the coast of Suriname. Reports are that during interrogation he reportedly confessed to taking part in previous robberies on the high seas.

Manohar appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates Court on Friday and was not required to plea to the two charges.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that Manohar  while being in the company of others and  armed with guns and knives between April 1,2015 and April 30,2015, robbed the ‘Sir Navin’ vessel owned by Daneshwar Reddy  of two 48 horsepower outboard engine valued $1.8M in the territorial waters off Guyana and the Corentyne River.

It is further alleged that between April 1,2016 and April 30,2016  at the same location, while being in the company of others and while  armed with guns and knives, Manohar stole  the ‘Captain Vikash’ vessel owned by Vikash Balkisson valued $2.3M,

The businessman’s attorney, Joel Edmond during his application for bail, explained that his client is the owner of over 10 fishing vessels. He said his client stays on land while his workers go to sea.

Edmond further stressed that his client was in police custody since May 2 and the charges brought before the court are ‘concocted’ since the crime occurred since the year of 2015 and 2016.

The attorney added that the police have no evidence linking his client to the crimes committed. He noted that his client is diabetic and suffers from severe back pains.

However , police prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to Manohar  on the grounds that the defendant is the suspect in the ongoing police investigation into the recent pirate attack on 4 fishing vessel which resulted in  the death of 5 fishermen and over 15 others missing.

In the case of Daneshwar Reddy , he was forced to swim for over 22 hours after being robbed by pirates during April, 2015 onboard  Sir Navin’ vessel owned by Daneshwar Reddy.

Prosecutor Mansfield pointed out that the defendant was positively pointed out by persons as one of the perpetrators involved in the robbery during an identification parade held by the police.

The Chief Magistrate refused the businessman bail on the grounds of the seriousness attached to the charges. Manohar  was remanded to prison until May 31 when his matter will be recalled at the Springlands Magistrates Court.  After his court appearance he was then handed over back to the police as the investigation continues in the recent attacks in which several Guyanese fishermen remain missing and presumed dead..

According to reports on May 2, police officers went to the home of the Manohar , at Number 43 Village on the Corentyne and arrested him.

Reports are that man is a close associate of “Sinbad” , who resides in Suriname , and who is being hunted by law enforcement in that country as investigations point to a “revenge act ” which led to the deadly attack on the fishermen on April 27,2018. “Sinbad” is said to be the leader of the group of pirates.

According to sources in Suriname, another sibling of Manohar , one Somnauth Manohar , was murdered at his home in Suriname in March this year . Sinbad , who is a close associate of the siblings , alleged that the act was committed by fishermen. According to reports he vowed to take revenge and attack fishermen.