TWO Ukrainian men are expected to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to answer to assault charges committed on Guyanese miners.

According to the police, investigations into allegations of assault and threats committed on two Guyanese miners/rangers on July 28, and August 3, 2018 respectively, have been completed and legal advice obtained to the effect that the two nationals of Ukraine, who speak Russian, are to be charged.

Last Thursday, the Russian Embassy informed the Guyana Chronicle that the men, Vitaly Paraschuck, and Maksym Furtak, are in fact Ukrainians.

Police said that Paraschuck, 38, is answerable to charges of threatening behaviour and assault causing actual bodily harm committed on Charles Clarke. Furtak, 33, is answerable to a charge of threatening behaviour committed on Rudolph Deane.

Police said, the Ukrainians, as well as Charles Clarke, are to be charged separately with contravention of the Private Security Services Act of 2009, for failure to wear their prescribed uniforms.

The two guards at the centre of allegations that they tortured two Guyanese miners, were arrested last week and police said they were in breach of their uniform dress code since, as supernumerary constables, they ought to have been attired in the prescribed manner approved by the force’s administration for that company and not as seen outfitted in the video.

In a statement issued last Wednesday, the police said a thorough investigation was launched into the incident. A police investigative team from CID headquarters received much-needed assistance from a miner who ferried the ranks to Quartz Stone, Cuyuni, on a mining claim operated by miner, Shawn Hopkinson, where the incident allegedly occurred.
On Wednesday, the National Mining Syndicate called on the authorities to address the issue with a view of ensuring justice prevails, in the interest of the local miners. The body said the incident brings to the fore the need for dialogue, between key agencies and expatriates who seek to do business in Guyana, either individually or as a company.

The two Ukrainians, who are employed by West Bank Demerara Gold Inc. which is licenced to operate in Guyana, are sworn supernumerary constables and authorised to carry firearms.