A 34-year-old resident of Line Path, Skeldon was remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Chandra Sohan at the Whim Court yesterday, charged with the murder of Corentyne businessman, Fazal Hossein.

Fazal Hossein

It is alleged that on June 11, Shaheed Rahaman, 34, called ‘Prick’ of Line Path Skeldon murdered 44-year-old Hossein known as ‘Teeths’ of Number 69 Village. He was not required to plead to the indictable offence and was refused bail. He will appear before the Springlands Court on June 26.

Rahaman’s lawyers asked for an early date for the hearing and Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Michael Grant indicated to the court that he is ready to commence the preliminary inquiry.

Reports are that Hossein was returning from Suriname aboard a ‘backtrack’ speedboat on June 10 around 5.30 pm when five masked gunmen pulled up alongside. They started firing bullets and the passengers went down in the boat.

The pirates then “jumped into the boat and lifted the caps of some of the passengers and looked at their faces until they recognized Hoosein”.

With guns pointing at him they ordered him, speaking “Dutch”, to get into their boat. The men then demanded everyone hand over their cell phones before removing the engine lead and escaping towards Suriname in the boat which was “very fast.”

A post-mortem examination conducted on Hossein’s remains had indicated that he was thrown overboard alive by his attackers.
Six persons were taken into custody following at the Springlands Police Station and two in Suriname but they were released a few days later.