–says CoI will not interfere with case

THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has defended its decision to institute murder charges against three men in connection with the MV Barima tragedy, stressing that the charges were laid following a thorough review of the evidence and established legal principles.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DPP said her office, which operates independently under Article 187 of the Constitution of Guyana, reviewed the Guyana Police Force’s investigative file into the July 18 maritime disaster before advising that charges be brought.
The office noted that it is constitutionally empowered to institute and undertake criminal proceedings and to exercise control over such prosecutions without being subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
Following its review, the DPP advised that murder charges be instituted against the vessel’s Captain, Kevin Price; Chief Mate, Rondel Dwayne Roberts; and Transport and Harbours Department Goods Superintendent, Delon Granderson.
According to the statement, the decision was based on “careful consideration of the evidence presented, the relevant principles of law involved, case law authorities from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth jurisdictions, the European Court of Human Rights, and public policy considerations.”
The DPP also addressed concerns over the government’s planned independent Commission of Inquiry into the disaster, stating that the inquiry will not interfere with the ongoing criminal proceedings.
“I have noted the impending establishment of an independent Commission of Inquiry by His Excellency the President and wish to state that the business of this Commission of Inquiry will not affect the prosecution of the charge instituted; they can proceed simultaneously,” the statement said.
The office pointed to previous instances where criminal prosecutions and commissions or inquiries proceeded concurrently, including the 2018 Berbice piracy cases and the fraud charges arising from the 2020 Regional and General Elections.
The DPP added that, given the unprecedented scale of the MV Barima tragedy and the significant public interest surrounding the case, the prosecution will be conducted with due consideration of the work of the Commission of Inquiry.
Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondel Dwayne Roberts and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson were jointly charged with murder on Tuesday in relation to the sinking of the MV Barima, Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster in modern history.
The vessel capsized on July 18 while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, resulting in the deaths of dozens of passengers. The case has been adjourned as investigations and recovery efforts continue.