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Guyana Police Force silent on sexual assault allegations against SOCU Head

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Guyana Police Force silent on sexual assault allegations against SOCU Head

The Guyana Police Force has chosen to remain silent in wake of another damning sexual assault complaint that has been filed by a female Police Officer against the Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fizal Karimbaksh.

Although a number of senior Police Officers have confirmed that an official report was made against the high-ranking Police Officer, the Police Force has ignored repeated questions from the media on the report and the allegations contained in the report.

Efforts to contact the SOCU Head for a comment also failed as repeated calls to his number went unanswered.

The female Police Rank has alleged that she was raped and sexually assaulted by the Deputy Commissioner on at least two separate occasions, with one of those incidents allegedly occurring at the Police Headquarters. She also complained of allegedly being threatened by him and having a gun reportedly pointed at her.

The Police officer also reportedly made an official complaint to a senior Government Minister about the alleged incidents.

The formal Police report was filed recently.

There have been previous allegations of a similar nature made against the senior Police Officer. Back in 2021, the Police Service Commission had probed sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Karimbaksh that were initially made in 2020 by two female recruits of the Police training school. He had denied those allegations, and dismissed them as “trumped up”.

The Police Service Commission had blocked him from receiving any promotion at the time, but he moved to the High Court against the Commission’s move. He was later promoted to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2022, and eventually appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner of Police by the President in 2024.

In wake of the new allegations, a number of the Opposition parties are calling for a full and thorough investigation and for consequences to follow.

In a statement, the Forward Guyana Movement said sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace are crimes against the dignity of the person.

The FGM said the investigation into Fizal Karimbaksh must go wherever the evidence leads, and if the evidence permits, he must be charged.

In a separate statement, the Alliance For Change said Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh should be relieved of duties immediately. The party said there needs to be a full, independent and impartial investigation into reports of criminal misconduct made against him.

“A female inspector of police has reportedly accused Karimbaksh of rape, assault and threatening her life. These are serious allegations of criminal behaviour and it is not the first time that the head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has found himself accused of being on the wrong side of the law”, the AFC said.

The AFC also called for an independent team of regional and international investigators to probe the serious allegations, as it has no confidence in the local Police investigating one of its own senior officers.






































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Source: News Source Guyana

Fiery protests erupt again in Vigilance, ECD

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Fiery protests erupt again in Vigilance, ECD

Debris, including tires, were set ablaze on a number of streets in the East Coast Demerara village of Vigilance this afternoon, as reports also surfaced about attempts to set fire to a supermarket in the community. Persons were seen using bottled water to douse the blaze at the supermarket.

The fires appear to form part of a protest by a group in the community that appears to be up in arms over the recent arrest of the relatives of US sanctioned businessman, Mark Cromwell aka “Demon”.

The Police have reportedly been probing Cromwell and family members as part of the investigations into the disappearance of two Surinamese men in Guyana.

The men were reported missing just over two weeks ago after traveling to Guyana. The link between missing men and the sanctioned villager is unknown.

The Guyana Police Force has been offering very little information on that investigation or the fiery protests which initially started yesterday afternoon and eased, but was reignited this afternoon.

This afternoon, multiple Police ranks were dispatched to the community and the Fire Service was also dispatched. Persons living along the East Coast of Demerara who have to drive through the village were seen rushing along the busy roadway.

Yesterday, a construction truck and other construction equipment for road works in the community were set on fire. In a statement this morning on yesterday’s incident, the Police said there were no arrests in relation to the incident. A number of villagers reported hearing multiple gunshots this afternoon, as they also heard yesterday.





































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Source: News Source Guyana

Six-year-old Chinese boy slashed to death by Chinese national at Parika

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Six-year-old Chinese boy slashed to death by Chinese national at Parika

Police investigators on the East Bank of Essequibo are probing the murder of a six-year-old Chinese boy, who was chopped to the neck by a Chinese national at Parika.

The incident occurred this afternoon at 3:45pm, according to a Police statement. The dead young boy has been identified as Ifeng Cao. The name of the older Chinese man who took his life has not been released. The young boy was rushed to the hospital after the chopping incident, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

It is unclear what lead to the murder, but the suspect has been taken into custody as the investigation is ongoing.



















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Source: News Source Guyana

Elections fraud trial adjourned until October 19 – News Room Guyana

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The ongoing trial into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections has been adjourned until October 19, 2026, following two weeks of consecutive hearings.

Before the conclusion of Wednesday’s hearing, presiding Magistrate Faith McGusty consulted with both the defence and prosecution and agreed on dates for the continuation of the matter.

The trial is scheduled to resume from October 19 to 30, before being adjourned again until November 16. Hearings are then expected to continue through November 27.

The trial began since 2024 but was met with several delays.

Over the past two weeks, several witnesses gave evidence in the trial.

Some witnesses who had previously begun giving evidence continued their testimony while others appeared for the first time. Some have completed their evidence, while others are still to be cross-examined or have outstanding testimony to complete.

Evidence heard during the recent hearings has covered events surrounding Election Day in 2020, as well as developments before, during and after the elections.

Among the issues raised in testimony were the halt in the tabulation process following reports of a bomb scare, alleged efforts to “steal” the elections, discrepancies between figures recorded on Statements of Poll (SOPs) and declarations, the removal of a server to protect election materials and handwriting appearing on election-related documents.

The matter is being managed under strict case-management guideline  with hearing dates being scheduled in advance.


Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Miner, 44, remanded over 36 pounds of cocaine found hidden in frozen fish – News Room Guyana

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Onai Olatunde Nassy, 44, was on Wednesday remanded to prison after being charged in connection with the alleged possession of 36 pounds of cocaine which was found hidden in frozen fish.

Nassy, a miner of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Tamika Clarke at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court. He was represented by attorney Bernard DaSilva.

Bail was refused and he was remanded until November 15.

The charge stems from an intelligence-led operation carried out on Sunday, September 27, at Richmondville, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Police Headquarters had said ranks intercepted a motor vehicle driven by Nassy, who was the sole occupant. A search of the vehicle’s trunk uncovered two bags containing frozen fish.

Police said that during further examination, ranks discovered several parcels containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine concealed inside the fish.

A total of 15 parcels of suspected cocaine were reportedly recovered. Nassy was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters along with the suspected narcotics and the vehicle.


Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

6-Y-O boy dies after chopped at Parika – News Room Guyana

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A six-year-old Chinese national died after reportedly being chopped to his neck during an incident at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, on Wednesday afternoon.

The child has been identified as Ifeng Cao.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed the incident which took place around 16:10 hrs.

According to information reaching the News Room, upon receiving the information, Police contacted the child’s father, who informed them that another Chinese National allegedly dealt his son a chop to his left side neck.

The child was subsequently pronounced dead.

Investigators are currently at the scene. More details will be provided in a subseqent report.


Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

UPDATE: Chinese national arrested after allegedly murdering 6-Y-O boy – News Room Guyana

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A Chinese national is now in Police custody after he allegedly murdered a six-year-old boy at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, on Wednesday afternoon.

The boy has been identified as Ifeng Cao; he is also a Chinese national.

According to a release from Police Headquarters, the boy was chopped at the neck at about 15:45 hrs.

The child was taken to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor. Meanwhile, the Chinese man who allegedly chopped the boy was arrested and is presently in Police custody.

Police said investigations are ongoing and further updates will be provided later.


Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Guyana & Greece sign Air Services Agreement  – News Room Guyana

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See below the full release issued by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority:

Guyana entered into an Air Services Agreement with the Hellenic Republic (Greece) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The agreement was signed at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on the sidelines of the joint International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 3rd Global Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOO) and Regional Accidents and Incidents Investigation Organization (RAIO) Forum for Aviation Safety.

Guyana’s Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, the Honourable Deodat Indar, M.P., and His Excellency Theodore N. Tsakiris, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic of Greece to Guyana, signed the Agreement. Technical-level negotiations and the initialling of the Agreement were completed on December 3, 2019, in Aqaba, Jordan.

The Agreement encompasses standard provisions pertaining to the Grant of Rights, Designations and Authorisations, Applicability of Laws and Regulations, Commercial Opportunities, Tariffs, Recognition of Certificates and Licences, Aviation Safety and Security, and User Charges, among other relevant areas.

Currently, there are no direct flights between Guyana and Greece. This Agreement facilitates airlines’ access to both markets, promoting competitive air transport services, trade, and economic development for both nations.

Guyana and Greece established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1979, marking the beginning of a longstanding partnership.


Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Guyana, Dominican Republic forge partnership for sustainable aviation  – News Room Guyana

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See below the full release from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority: 

The Government of Guyana and the Dominican Republic have taken a significant step toward advancing sustainable civil aviation and combating climate change. Hon. Deodat Indar, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation of Guyana, and Miguel Amaurys Mejia Capellan, Deputy Director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a collaborative framework to promote sustainability and decarbonization within the aviation sector.

The MOU aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and supports the global goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The agreement prioritizes the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), reduction of carbon emissions, and the mobilization of climate finance to support these initiatives.

Key areas of cooperation include the exchange of technical expertise, capacity building, and the development of CORSIA-compliant Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs), with a strong commitment to prevent double counting of emission reductions under the Paris Agreement. To ensure effective coordination, a Joint Working Group will convene annually, with each country responsible for financing its own activities under the MOU.

The Memorandum of Understanding takes immediate effect and marks a milestone in regional collaboration for a greener, more sustainable future in aviation.


Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Six secondary schools now have 3D design technology  – News Room Guyana

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The Ministry of Education on Wednesday commissioned a computer-aided design (CAD) laboratory at Zeeburg Secondary School, thereby completing the first phase of an initiative to modernise and improve digital skills, as it relates to the delivery of industrial technology education in secondary schools.

At a total cost of GY$85 million, six secondary schools nationwide were outfitted with air-conditioned spaces equipped with high-powered laptops, peripheral hardware and AutoCAD software.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Dr Ritesh Tularam emphasised that technical training must evolve beyond basic manual skills.

“In today’s rapidly changing world, technical education is no longer simply about learning how to operate tools and equipment,” Dr Tularam said. “It is about developing the knowledge, creativity, digital competencies and problem-solving abilities needed to design solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.”

He noted that the laboratory enables students to “move from an idea in their imagination to a precise digital design that can be developed, tested, modified and eventually transformed into a physical product or structure.”

Speaking at Tuesday’s launch of the CAD lab at North Ruimveldt Secondary School, Minister of Education, Sonia Parag highlighted the broader policy behind expanding TVET. She noted that the investment equips students with advanced tools comparable to those used internationally.

“You are literally a part of history in technical and vocational education and training,” Minister Parag posited. She noted too that the practical software training prepares students to make their own contributions as architects and builders of major national infrastructure.
“You are no longer just doing technical drawing as we know it. You are using technology to create 3D designs that allow you to become the architects and engineers who will build our country.”

The Minister also made a direct call for increased female participation, urging more girls to enter and excel in engineering and design fields.

Additionally, the new facilities directly support students preparing for Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Industrial Technology assessments. Candidates in subjects such as Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing can now create digital drawings, 3D spatial models and structural blueprints on workstations rather than traditional drafting boards.

Zeeburg Secondary joins North Ruimveldt Secondary, Abram Zuil Secondary, Bygeval Secondary, Hope Secondary and New Amsterdam Multilateral School as the six schools outfitted under the GY$85 million investment.

The Ministry of Education is working to expand TVET subjects across all secondary schools, with the hope that every child will exit the school system proficient in at least one technical or vocational skill (Ministry of Education press release)


Source: NEW ROOMS SITE