– say President, Opposition Leader, want killers of teens swiftly brought to justice

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has described the murders of the Berbice teens as barbaric and is awaiting the completion of the investigation by the Guyana Police Force.

“Those persons who are responsible for this are barbaric criminals. I can’t see them being humans,” the President said during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday.

He also called for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice.
“I offered to support the police with all the resources required in terms of the investigation, and getting the investigation completed in a swift manner; the police will determine the matter,” President Ali said.

Residents of Number 5 and several other West Coast Berbice villages have held unlawful and irresponsible street demonstrations over the killings.
“Whilst we await the swift work of the police to bring those responsible to justice, I urge residents from the communities to be patient and support the police in ensuring justice is served,” the President urged.

The bodies of the two cousins, Isaiah Henry, 16, and Joel Henry, 19, both of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) were found three villages away in the backlands on Sunday, after they were reported missing on Saturday last.
Three persons have been arrested in connection with the killing and mutilation of the two youths who left home to pick coconuts.
Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, has also condemned the brutal slaying of Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry, in the backlands of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

“To their parents and grieving relatives, I offer my deepest condolences. To the villagers of the deceased and, indeed, all those who are enraged by this horrible tragedy and justifiably so, I appreciate your pain and anguish,” Nandlall noted.

HIGHEST PRIORITY

From all indications, the legal affairs minister said the Police Force is making the investigation its highest priority and the legal process will take its natural course.
“Precipitous and reckless actions, inclusive of damaging public property, blocking public roadways, inconveniencing and denying innocent citizens their right to use the public roadways cannot and will not be a solution in any form or fashion,” the attorney-general said.
Indeed, he said such actions will only result in unnecessary and unwanted tension and anger and will distract attention from a proper and professional investigation, which will ensure the perpetrators face the full force of the law.
Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, has extended condolences to the parents, siblings and relatives of the murdered teens.
“The APNU+AFC coalition calls for an immediate, full and thorough police investigation into this heinous crime and the apprehension of the killers without any delay. We commit to doing everything necessary to ensure that justice is served in this matter to the fullest extent of the law,” Harmon said.

ALLOW POLICE TO DO THEIR WORK

He continued: “We recognise and understand the pain, anger and anguish the relatives and villagers of No. 3 Village (where the boys are from) are experiencing at this time. I call on them to remain vigilant but to allow the police to conduct their investigation in a timely manner.”
Harmon also called on Guyanese to observe two days of mourning for the loss of the boys and said the coalition plans to assist the families with funeral costs.
“We ask that if there is any member of the public with information which could lead to the solving of this crime to provide such information to the police as soon as possible,” Harmon said.

The US Embassy has also condemned the killings of the boys. “We express condolences to the family members and the Cotton Tree community,” the US embassy said in a statement.

The Private Sector Commission in a statement contended that the murder of the two teenaged cousins has left a sense of utter revulsion.
“We join the voices of the private sector and, we would like to think, the entire country, in calling upon the nation to remain calm while the police do their job to bring the perpetrators to justice, while we condemn this brutal heinous act. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the grieving families,” the PSC said.