A PRIVATE Russian security guard is accused of assaulting and pulling his gun on a Guyanese miner during a recent incident at Quart Stone, Cuyuni, Region Seven.
In a video seen by this newspaper, the guard demanded documents to prove that the miner has claims to the area and a right of access.
Usually, the police or officials of the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) carry out this function and not a private security guard.
The miner was enquiring about claims for Shawn Hopkinson who is one of Guyana’s large-scale miners. He has several claims in the area.
Despite knowing his right, in an effort to maintain the peace, the miner complied and provided documentation but this did not dissuade the armed guard from becoming physical.
Even after the documents were shown, the Russian guards followed the miner who went about his business. It was at this point that things escalated and the miner exclaimed, “I don’t have to show you anything cause me ain’t wuking with you bai, listen to what I’m telling you”.
The Guyanese miner was then punched by one of the two Russian guards who were armed with handguns. The guard then pulled out his gun on the miner and at that point the video stopped.
Hopkinson mining company with whom the assaulted man is employed reported to incident to the Police.
The Russian guards are also accused of handcuffing a miner to the roof of a shed and beating him. The circumstances surrounding that incident are unclear but miners are calling on the police and the Ministry of Natural Resources to investigate these incidents and give them justice.
