WELL-KNOWN Corentyne businessman, Nakool Manohar, called ‘Fyah’, and his alleged accomplice, on Monday, denied playing a role in the deadly 2018 pirate attacks.

Manohar, 42, of Number 43 Village, Corentyne, and Premnauth Persaud, 46, also known as ‘Sinbad,’ were arraigned before Justice Navindra Singh at the Berbice High Court.

The men denied that between April and June 2018, while in Guyana’s territorial waters, they murdered Mahesh Sarjoo called ‘Kuba’ and Tilaknauth Mohabir called ‘Camion’, on board the vessel, Romina SK 764, while committing the offence of piracy.

It is further alleged that the men, during the same period, murdered Bandara called ‘Spanish man’, Laita Sumair called ‘Bora’ and Lokesh DeCouite, on board the vessel, Joshua SK 1418.

The state is being represented by special prosecutor, Latchmie Rahamat and state counsel, Nafeeza Baig.

A 12-member jury was empanelled on Monday and trial is currently underway.

It is alleged that during the period April 14 and June 3, 2018, four fishing vessels were attacked by pirates and during the incidents, several fishermen were savagely beaten, chopped and burnt with hot oil and left to die, while others remain missing and are feared dead.

Five fishermen survived the traumatic ordeal.