– Top Cop dismisses claims investigation politically-motivated

COMMISSIONER of Police Leslie James has said that a decision to investigate former Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud was not politically motivated, and that several miners have been questioned in relation to the bribery-and-gold-smuggling probes.

He was at the time speaking with reporters following the opening of a workshop on station management and the training of newly-promoted subordinate officers at the Officers’ Training Centre on Camp Road and Young Street, Eve Leary. “Somebody asked me if the minister has given me any instructions,” he began, but more to the point, he said, “The minister has not given me any instructions; something was brought to my attention by the minister, and based on that, an investigation ensued. Not instructions; I don’t receive political instructions. I must make that very clear; I do not receive, or I will not yield to any political instructions,” the Commissioner said.

James did not state the number of persons from whom statements were taken, and also refused to say whether any politicians or Members of Parliament were interviewed. He did, however, concede that a number of miners have been questioned, but insisted that he will not be prejudicial about the matter. “I don’t doubt it has been a while (since the investigation got underway), but I will make a pronouncement.”

Meanwhile, Persaud is being investigated for alleged bribery and the illegal movement of gold from the State of Guyana. The police chief had told reporters during a past press conference that although Persaud is overseas, he will be contacted at the appropriate time, and that if he refuses to return to Guyana for questioning, an extradition process would initiated.

At the time, the commissioner had sidestepped questions on anything pertaining to links of the investigation being carried out because of the no-confidence vote in Parliament on the night of December 21, 2018. “I am saying that following a report, we have caused an investigation to commence. It’s still ongoing; at the conclusion of the investigation, we will seek legal advice,” he’d said.

Describing the matter as one that is sensitive, the commissioner said Persaud is innocent until proven guilty, and that it was an impartial investigation that was being carried out. “We are not seeking to manufacture anything. Whatever is given to us is being taken, and we will submit for legal advice. The advice given to us, we will respond to it.” The People’s National Congress-Reform (PNCR) is on record as saying that the former AFC Member of Parliament was allegedly bribed by the opposition. Persaud has since denied the allegations. However, he did admit to being involved in a dubious transaction, where he attempted to purchase some US$1M in gold.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has sought to distance himself and his party from allegations that they bribed Persaud to vote in their favour. Jagdeo’s top adviser, Peter Ramsaroop, had breached security protocol at the Ogle Airport by spiriting Persaud away one day after the vote.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had subsequently told a news conference that he was not aware of any attempts or plan on the night of December 21 to harm Persaud after he voted in favour of toppling the government. The security minister had said that given the nature of the vote, he knew that had anything happened to Persaud, it would have reflected very badly on the government, and that as such, the necessary steps were taken to provide security for him. Ramjattan also denied having any knowledge of plans to harm Charrandass once he returns to Guyana, be it to answer charges or otherwise.

Persaud has reportedly said that he’d gotten word that efforts are afoot to have him killed, either on the road, or once he is sent to prison. Minister Ramjattan has time and again rubbished these claims, and told the Guyana Chronicle that Persaud is using these excuses as a means of not coming back to Guyana.