Toolbox

Govt never sanctioned Roger Khan spy gear purchase

– home ministry

The government yesterday said it “rejects outright” the claim that it had authorised the importation “by the Roger Khan outfit of the sensitive piece of electronic equipment seized by the Joint Services.”

The denial came in a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which also stated that the ministry had asked the American authorities to provide it with the records of all such applications. Home Minister Clement Rohee had earlier said that he had no comment to make on the issue.

Lawyers for Khan, who is facing drug charges in the US, have cited an FBI investigation, which they claim revealed that the government had given Khan permission to purchase the sensitive electronic surveillance equipment from Spy Shops in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The equipment, which was in the form of a laptop computer, was reportedly capable of intercepting and tracing telephone calls made from a landline or a cellular phone and the software is reportedly only sold to governments,

According to the Home Ministry statement, the US, like most countries, “has strict export controls on the sale/export of such items.

“In Guyana, such sensitive electronic items could only be procured and imported for the exclusive use of law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.

Further, the ministry said, “Such a request by the law enforcement agencies of Guyana would have to be approved by the relevant authorities before an application is made by the Government of Guyana to the relevant American authorities for approval for the item to be exported to Guyana.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs asserts that it did not authorize the importation of the electronic equipment under question nor did it seek any approval of the US authorities for an export licence for the item

“In the context of the above, the Ministry of Home Affairs has since requested the American authorities to provide it with the records of all such applications made by the Government of Guyana during the period of the operations of the Roger Khan outfit.”

In a subpoena to the US Drug Enforcement Admin-istration, Khan’s lawyers stated: “FBI agent Justin Krider investigated Khan’s purchase of the computer telephonic surveillance equipment from Spy Shops in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and found Khan had permission from the Government of Guyana to purchase and possess this equipment.”

They are seeking the testimony and all documents in Krider’s possession as these relate to the surveillance equipment purchased in Florida.

In a background paragraph, the subpoena said Khan was alleged to have used the equipment to improperly wiretap various high-ranking officials and others within Guyana in order to maintain his “alleged drug organization.”

Spy Shops is located at 600 W Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to its website, it specializes in spy equipment such as GPS trackers, video cameras, private investigation, secure cellular phones, DVR, night vision, bug sweeps, voice recorders, voice changers, counter-surveillance and audio surveillance.

“Do you think you’re being spied on? If so, Spy Shops has a vast array of counter-surveillance options that can help you track down unwanted video cameras, audio surveillance and GPS trackers,” their website said.

All of the equipment available can also be purchased online with the use of Visa, Mastercard, or American Express credit cards or through the PayPal system. Stabroek News contacted Spy Shops in an effort to secure a comment but officials indicated that they would not be giving out any information.

Khan became known when along with Haroon Yahya and policeman Sean Belfield he was detained on December 4, 2002 by an army patrol and turned over to the police following the discovery of the sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment and arms in a pick-up at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.

At the time of their arrests they had told law enforcement officials that they were in search of Shawn Brown and the other prison escapees who had fled the Camp Street prison earlier that year. Khan and the two others were later charged with possession of arms and ammunition and placed on $500,000 bail each. The charges were subsequently dismissed by the late magistrate Jerrick Stephney at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court the following year.

Since their release there has been no public information on what happened to the equipment and many questions posed to officials by this newspaper on how the equipment came into the country and what happened to it after the court case went unanswered.

It was believed that the surveillance equipment was passed back to Khan after the trial, as Khan had later acknowledged that he had taped several conversations of leading security officials and other personalities.

Prior to his arrest in Suriname and subsequently by the US authorities, Khan had argued repeatedly that he had assisted the Guyana government in fighting crime and subversive elements. His pitch appeared to be an attempt to win public support against his apprehension by the American authorities and also to have the government here acknowledge his role.

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78 Responses to “Govt never sanctioned Roger Khan spy gear purchase”

brownboy14
on June 10th, 2008 6:19 am

He say, they say. LOL.

[Reply to this]
Raj
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:41 am:
The government cannot be trusted to tell the truth. I am inclined to believe Roger Khan because of the relationship he had with President Jagdeo.

[Reply to this]
ms guyana
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 7:41 pm:
what else do we expect them to do at this time?
bluff and bluster is their only way out of this one, but they don’t have control over the situation so they can clown around as much as they want. they will be embarrassed if this case go to trial and look for more visa bans and people laying low in Guyana

[Reply to this]
amen-ra
on June 10th, 2008 6:42 am

Well i’m not surprised at the minister’s answer, they had to say somethin that why he wasnt commenting, they had to come up with a counteraction to the info, but don’t be surprised if the u.s provide the info they denied about knowing. let’s see what happens next.

[Reply to this]
bvbocan
on June 10th, 2008 6:55 am

Oh well! I suppose Roger Khan, who was once an ally of the PPP is now telling lies on them [sarcasm]

[Reply to this]
justice4all
on June 10th, 2008 7:00 am

Denial is a river in Egypt. The corroborative ingredient in this case is the fact that the equipment was handed back to Khan after his matter was questioningly disposed of. Commonsense prescribes a conclusion that since private possession of such equipment would be unlawful in Guyana, regardless of the outcome of Khan’s case, it would have been confisticated. That it wasn’t is proof positive that Khans’ acquisition and employment of the equipment in question had full approval from the Government or actors very high up in the Government.

Only the most naive or baldfaced would have any doubts as to how Roger Khan acquired his wealth. In a depressed economy like Guyana’s we are to believe that this man, who fled from justice in the US, managed to become one of the richest, if not the richest men in Guyana in a spate of a few years.

The Government of Guyana has no ethical standing to be trusted with an investigation of the hundreds Roger Khan might have been involved in murdering. He was not after criminals. He was after killing a demographic group as a cathartic remedy for the just fears of another demographic group who perceived themselves as being under siege. And there is little doubt that for many in the latter group and in Khan’s organization, this exercise offered vicarious satisfaction in terms of extracting revenge on those they hated. We have to speak the unvarnished truth about these issues.

[Reply to this]
guy123
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:04 am:
Well said justice4all! It is so sad to see how RK. and this government has changed our lives,not to mention our beautiful country,even their fan club will be wishing for the good old Burnham days,when people had nothing more to bother about but,if they are going to enjoy their meal because it might have lacked some ingredient or the other.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:39 am:
When you say, “good old Burnham days…” what exactly do you mean, and who are you hoping reads and identifies with your statement, us or ex PNC hiarchy?

guy123
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 10:14 am:
In reply to the above
You seem to have a problem with the PNC,but this is not about the PNC so I think you should get over them and get on with your life,even though they are history and you are thousands of miles away they seem to play a part in your life,could it be that you cannot forget happier times when they were in power? Get over it and stay focused on the issues taking place in Guyana “Now”

mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 3:13 pm:
Precisely. Exactly. Absolutely. Yes, I definitely have a problem with the PNC…that is without a doubt, a HUGE problem furthermore, and I will so long as they exist. I am not scared to say I do. It’s the PNC that has forced me to be out here in the first place and YOU TOO. When I remember the days growing up and facing deprivation, had to join the Guylines to get salt, sugar, etc. that’s made in Guyana, the atrocities, the condition they caused my once beautiful country to become and the standard of living they caused my people to endure.
I have gotten over them, I have moved on with my life most progressively, but I regret not being able to have developed in my own country and to be there to live my life, America nor England could never be better than Guyana. If Guyana was given a chance without Burnham, Gt would be a heaven to live in. Contest me on that. Why do you think the people in the small islands gets visas to the US and are even exempt from visa requirements for Canada and the UK? It’s because these people live well in there own lil country better than Guyanese do and do not need to go anywhere nor do they have a better reason to stay in foreign countries Mr./Ms.guy123. We should be living like them, not being ridiculed by them. Leguan is bigger than most of the small islands and yet they richer than us, who caused that? THE PNC. Guyanese are playing catch up, we’re now in what we would’ve been like in 1990 and this is 2008. Do not be brazen and ask me if I have a problem with the PNC. Hell yes I do, like plenty of us and it will be hell again if they get back in power, that’s my concern, they are not history, their deeds are history but they’re still there and what has history taught us? I’ll tell you guy123, “those who fail to remember the past are doomed to repeat it”, I don’t want to see a repeat of the PNC. You could go ahead and forget it. Up till now there still is that slogan written/painted on the zinc fence at the Eastern end of Starlite Cinema, ” ALL FOR FORBES, NONE FOR US”
And as you asked I am “staying focused on the issues going on in Guyana Now”, can’t you tell? They (PNC) are responsible for all the destruction, killing, trivialty, mayhem, etc. they have caused and are still actively causing. “I” am thousands of miles away, but my other “I” is in GT.
My disgust with the PNC is unrelenting, even when they become extinct I won’t forget them. Memories don’t leave like people do.

popeoplefedup
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 12:26 pm:
You are speaking a tainted truth, justice4all, especially when it comes to that privileged vs underprivileged “demographic” theory which you propounded.

Your intelligence becomes irreverent with such a racist underpinning.

Sure Roger was diabolical and sure he had to be abetted to his wealth, but to imply that East Indians vicariously delighted in the execution of Blacks/ Afro-Guyanese is preposterous. Not even your prejudiced mind can believe that.

You are making extremely incendiary and fallacious claims when you remark:

“extracting revenge on those they hated”

Other than your Burhamite proclivity, where is the proof of that phrase? Or the others for that matter? There is nothing empirical about your claims and you ought to utilise this avenue to propagate Guyanese unity and not disharmony.

Is it any wonder that Jadgeo adopts his despotic stance on issues such as liberalizing the media?

You are obviously intelligent insofar as your words demonstrate, but your color coded messages desecrate the sanctity of human brotherhood.

[Reply to this]
motherofmine
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 4:27 pm:
popepolefedup, you are so right, but consider this, if Mark Benschop was caught with this type of equipment he would never got out of prison, what do you think of the government ministers taking tha polygraph as the canu men did? let’s see who will pass.
BOEING777
on June 10th, 2008 8:00 am

HA HA HA, this regime is so bare faced and shameless.

Who are they trying to fool now??? Themselves….

I guess if they deny it long enough they themselves will believe it.

HA HA HA

[Reply to this]
buxton_man
on June 10th, 2008 8:32 am

Mouth open, story jump out!!!

[Reply to this]
omkar
on June 10th, 2008 8:44 am

Dear Editor,

Government said “rejects outright” …. I guess the use of the inverted commas is SN’ s take so I am trying to understand your purport behind the use of the inverted commas and would appreciate an explanation.

As for those who have commented so far, how schoolboyish of them. Would it not have been more prudent to see the outcome of the government’s request to the US authorities then comment. But then again prudence is denied those who are endowed with sass.

The SN is degenrating into a tabloid when it encourages such folly. Is this SN’s objective?

[Reply to this]
SUPERERRO
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:36 am:
OMKAR, would it be prudent to say ‘the chickens are coming home to roost?’ Stop being in denial! T

[Reply to this]
bvbocan
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 10:28 am:
Spare us the fake outrage, Omkar. It’s as genuine as a PPP apologist in a pro PNC rally. Everyone got it wrong – but you. Is that what it is?

The media gave Minister Rohee the opportunity to be forth right when the story broke. Instead, he evaded their query and used the excuse that he was not in charge of the ministry during the Roger Khan era. It was not until the story developed legs that he scrambled to manage the press. Perhaps his initial response should have been that he would look into the matter and get back to the media.

Twenty four hours later, Minister Rohee now denies emphatically that the government had any involvement in the approval of the surveillance purchases. Again he may eat his words. We anticipate the proof being sent by Roger Khan’s American Law team and suspect that Rohee’s his predecessor Ronald Gajraj maybe better able to shed further light when it arrives.

Oh- before I forget… the inverted commas used by SN was to let the government’s “emphatic” denial be known. But then again, I am sure you already knew the answer. Acha?

[Reply to this]
No Patriot
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 5:40 pm:
Seemingly eccentric at times, but this time you got it perfectly right!!

bvbocan
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 6:00 pm:
Oh thanks sugah. I do so pine for your approval.

rwilliams
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 8:28 pm:
It is ironic that even apologists for the PPP’s authoritarianism and its recent attempts to repress the Stabroek News, are liberally allowed the opportunity to criticise this newspaper, by using this forum.
This definitely, is not the tradition and practice in communist regimes and systems to which the PPP’s leadership subscribes, and Mr. Omkar should count himself lucky to be able to enjoy this democratic right, which Stabroek News is instrumental in facilitating, by this healthy discourse, something, historically supressed in all communist dictatorships.
And, let us remember that it is the PPP’s communist leaders, who are the protaganist of communism in Guyana and bear equal responsibility for the undemocratic rule and destructive socialist policies of the Burnham dictatorship, by their ‘ critical support ‘ for the repressive regime. No amount of propaganda by apologists of the present administration will change this history.

[Reply to this]
rdman
on June 10th, 2008 8:53 am

Deny you ever know him,that’s what judas did to Christ.The F.B.I are no fool, they would unravel the mystery.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
on June 10th, 2008 8:55 am

So now you guys have it, a statement from the government denying that permission was granted for Khan to purchase the equipment. I believe simply because he did not need permission from the government, he got permission from the government WITHOUT the government giving him permission. I said it before and soon everyone will see from the documentary proof to be presented by the FBI agent Justin Krider when the time comes. Somehow ppl forget how “street” Guyanese operates…or they never knew.

Thought for the day: “Be careful in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery, but let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism…”

Hope now some of you get your heads out the sand (in Guyana’s case…the mud).

[Reply to this]
blueboyy2k
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:22 am:
Some people had mackydog as their precise target but missed !!

[Reply to this]
guy123
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:44 am:
poor mackydog.

[Reply to this]
owenon123
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:48 am:
Mackydog, ask the government of Guyana to take a polygraph test pertaining to the statement they released, about how much they know of Roger Khan and where is the spy equipment he was found with in his possession in 2002.?

[Reply to this]
Guyanese4life
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 12:57 pm:
Mackydog,

Did you for one minute expect to hear any government official say yes we gave him permission? If they did then I would have stopped even reading news on Guyana…I would have then thought that we had a bunch of dundaheads governing Guyana.

I have been meaning to talk about this forgery theory that you have deduced.

It seems interesting to say that everything can be forged including letterheads and signatures from the government. If this is so then we should believe no document that has any attachment of signature or letter or cheque or stamp.

So the government can have documents signed with anyone or documents can turn up with government ministers involved in a variety of scams or crony giveaways of land and monies and can deny outright that they did not sign the document.

If that is the case then we are in a sad place and “SHAGGY’s” song should be famous here. Someone should come up with the PPP/C “It wasn’t me….” Anthem.

Bravo Mackypuppy

[Reply to this]
GT_BANA
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 1:57 pm:
Thanks for the laugh….hahaha. You made a strong point there.

mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 6:48 pm:
Guyanese4life,
No, I do not believe the government would admit that they gave RK permission to buy the equipment because I believe if the government wanted one, they would’ve gotten it thru other official means like they do for anything else that’s as sensitive.

As for your question about the forgery, yes, ANY document, be it government or else, birth’s and deaths, marriage, GT drivers licence, GT identification card, UG diplomas, cheques, passports, letter of permission to have tint from Minister Rohee or any other permission, liquor licence, house transports, bank statements, customs declaration, compliance certificate, car/motorbike registrations, foreign currency, local currency, whatever, whatever whatever, I can go on and on, name the document and GT “roadman” can and already has forged them. The only thing I trust is the Guyana postage stamp, and if you get them “roadman” vex, they will make that too, but incidentally that is not profitable.
Proof in the pudding is eating it right…Ok, a question to prove my point…why does the U.S embassy refuse to accept most documents brought in with an application for a visitor’s visa? What is the most popular reason for them denying ppl? Or, why does the Guyana government, like the High Court or other Court, or any other government agency only accept important documents like transports, etc. from overseas based Guyanese like me and you only if it was first inspected and sealed by the Guyana Embassy in our respective countries even if we had it done by a J.P or a lawyer? The answer is because of TOO MUCH FAKES. You want more examples? Or do you want to invalidate this?

Yes, government documents can and has turned up with the signatures of ppl and on government letterheads and pages for various things before.

No, the government cannot have documents “signed by government ministers involved in scams or crony giveaways of land and then deny it”. If the government issue a document, I like you, would expect them to honor it for its authenticity because its most likely done with copies.

Guyanese4life, finally -no, documents coming out of Guyana are not always to be trusted. It is interesting. I have never seen a dog go back to a puppy.

Your’s truly, mackdog….forever.

owenon123
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 3:52 pm:
Mackydog, the government official who give the permission for the purchase of the spy equipment cannot be reach at this moment…sorry! lol.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 6:48 pm:
That proves my point, thank you.
owenon123
on June 10th, 2008 9:12 am

“The denial came in a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which also stated that the ministry had asked the American authorities to provide it with the records of all such applications.” Which permission to purchase those sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment that Roger Khan has in his possession?

Did the American authorities provide records to the Guyana government about the “JFK pipe bomb suspects” who unfortunitately was Guyanese Citizens?

However, back then this regime had many negative things to say about those suspects. Did the President of Guyana and his government asked the USA for relevant documents to prove their case before the Jagdeo and other bump their gums about the suspects?

In fact, why is it they asking for all these records from the US authorities before they can elaborate more on one of their own.

How much more evidence do they need when “Khan, Haroon Yahya and policeman Sean Belfield was detained on December 4, 2002 by an army patrol and turned over to the police following the discovery of the sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment and arms in a pick-up at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara”
That was more than enough evidence to keep them behind bar for a long time. The government of Guyana is affiliated with Roger Khan and his drug running empire. They are Birds of fedders flocked together. Nevertheless, the big bird is locked in the cage now, so we all know what is next. Canaries do what it knows best, its new album in store now get your free sample it has many lyrics…lol.

[Reply to this]
bluegrass
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 1:03 pm:
is the govt involved in all of the illegal documents guyanese are using to exit guyana,
is it possible that the criminals produce their own documents? a taught to ponder on, so let us not try and convict him in the media like OJ.

[Reply to this]
owenon123
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:05 pm:
Bluegrass, I agree with you about the “illegal documents Guyanese are using to exit Guyana.”

Nevertheless, I disagree with the metaphor in the last line of your statement. In the OJ case, it was the LAPD conduct that probe. However, in Roger Khan’s case the FBI (Feds) is conducting his investigation. The difference between the two probes one probe had the time to spy on its object for a very long time, likewise, the other probe had limited time to do such.

In addition, the feds have acquired enough evidence as well as convicted informant that probably got caught smuggling drugs for RK in their PC (Protected Custody) waiting to nail him.

Roger Khan probably already has an idea who they are. He knows who get bag for him in the past. Come on kid be fuh real now, this RK drugs scandal was around before he was caught. Which planet do you live on?

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
on June 10th, 2008 9:16 am

A baby can see through this one.

[Reply to this]
gtking53
on June 10th, 2008 10:31 am

Roger Khan could not operate without the government’s authorization. So wise up Jagdeo, (there is no honor amoung thieves ) yo get ketch with yo pants down.

[Reply to this]
GT_BANA
on June 10th, 2008 11:00 am

I know all of us, if not then most of us are intelligent enough to predict the Guyana government would adamantly deny giving RK permission to purchased the equipment. No surprised there. However, If we all thought that the government would outrightly admit to the accusations, then we are fools. I am not going to bash MACKYDOG and all those who believe the government didn’t play a role until there is some strong evidence supporting those accusations. What’s funny about the whole entire situation is that RK and his defense crew stated that he was assisting the government in crime fighting activities. So far we haven’t heard the government deny that statement but they denied giving him permission to possess the equipment. Does that make sense to any of your????

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 9:50 pm:
GT-BANA,
the defense would not deny that RK was assisting the govt. They will keep that argument to work for them because what happened in Guyana against Guyana laws should be tried in Guyana. Same way what happen in Guyana against the security of the US will be tried in the US and that is for drugs which they have to supply proof for and jumping bail which they already have proof. As far as killings in Guyana, the US cannot try him for that, instead they can use it to prove their case as a drug kingpin. so do you see the sense it makes, he’ll be tried for 2 crimes instead of 3.

[Reply to this]
pepie
on June 10th, 2008 11:21 am

Mackydog, Mackydog….

We all know whats happening here and i know you are trying to give the government the benefit of the doubt but……

1.Isn’t it illegal for RK and his boys to have this equipment according to our laws ?
2. Can’t this be seen as an act of treason, since he was using it to record and monitor high ranking government officials, also every citizen of this beloved country?
3.What information did he record and who did he sell or give this information to Especially if this information was used against any of the state bodies?
4. Was RK providing logistics - GPF and GDF, for drug barons and other criminals (Political or otherwise) looking for a safe haven/route to ply their trade?

His actions - in my mind were for him to profit and in the end cripple the state and this is definitely Treason.

I quote owenon123….., “Khan, Haroon Yahya and policeman Sean Belfield was detained on December 4, 2002 by an army patrol and turned over to the police following the discovery of the sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment and arms in a pick-up at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara”. Why isn’t RK and the others in jail?

Mark Benchop was locked away on a treason charge when he did not commit any act that threatens this state or it’s people and Oliver is in jail on a sedition charge just for speaking. None of these two men came close to what RK and Organization did. Tell me mackydog what is happening here.

This is Hypocrisy. Shame on the PPP and its Govt.

[Reply to this]
Arcadia Terry
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 1:09 pm:
THE MAN WAS A MINISTER CAN’t YOU GUYS SEE THAT , i guess in charge of crime.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 8:49 pm:
Pepie,
Good questions indeed. Thanks for giving me the chance to answer them for you, but incidentally, I am not a Minister and never was a Minister in any government in Guyana, nor was I ever affiliated to any political parties in Guyana. I will say if I had a preference in parties in Guyana, the PPP would be my choice with Ravi Dev’s party (I don’t remember the name) as an alternate. As for the PNC, I think that party (PNC) should have been ruled illegal when PPP won elections and the Ministers put before the courts. That’s the first mistake the PPP made, to allow them to continue existing as a party.

All statements, suggestions, thoughts etc. stated here by me are based solely on my opinions, knowledge of what was published in the news and read by me. I have never seen, spoken to or dealt with Roger Khan or the government or any other person related to Roger Khan either by affiliation or by blood.

Yes I am giving the government the benefit of the doubt simply because these are only allegations against the government about the permission thing. All I’m saying about that is there are other ways to get official (looking) documents of any kind in Guyana and it’s not until the FBI agent Justin Krider presents proof and can verify that the document (s) WAS/WERE issued by the Guyana government that I would conceed and admit the government erred .

I believe in innocent until proven guilty…not guilty via rumors and suggestions until proven innocent. That is why Roger Khan is before a court and not a firing squad, but instead we see they’re ppl who likes to put the cart before the horse.

Answers: 1. Yes, according to our laws, it was illegal for RK to possess the equipment, but a Magistrate/Judge saw it fit within the parameters of the law and in his judgment to set them free. Guyana is a democracy now, the judges decision is final and nothing you can do about it. It was not the President or the government that freed him that time.

2. No, it is not considered to be treason, he was not trying to overthrow nor destabilise, nor coerce violence from the population to destabilise the government of Guyana.

3. He used it to tape phone conversations of the ex-Commisioner of Police and others. One of the reasons was so the President can be aware of the activities of some of the ppl he was supposed to have trusted and were actually backstabbing him, the President. Eventually when the ex-Commish became aware of his conversations with a prominent PNC lawyer being exposed, Roger Khan’s bubble began to burst.

4. I do not know if he provided logistics to the GDF/GPF or what else he did with the equipment. I would suggest that he probably did since he said he was assisting the government.

His actions in my mind as compared to your mind was not necessarily to cripple the government or our beloved country (that way). What seems most logical to me is he acted with the intention of illiminating certain known criminals who were very actively involved in serious crimes at the time. These men were powerful and was somewhat influential alledgedly in the drugs trade. It is my opinion that it was not expected to see Mr. Jagdeo or Mr. Gagraj, or Mr. Luncheon or Mr. Laurie Lewis get in a police car and begin searching for and arresting these criminals. Roger Khan saw it necessary and had the means so he did it, with or without government acknowledgement…I don’t know.

Mark Benschop was justifiably arrested for treason. He, (along with another accomplice of the PNC party who is in hiding till now) did try to destabilise and possibly overthrow the government of Guyana by mobilising and inciting a very large angry and violent crowd outside of the President’s Office in GT to forceably storm the compound gates to gain and actually gained access to the President. Luckily the President was not there at the time and so the first political overthrow of a government in Guyana was averted.

Oliver Hinckson is in prison and justifiably so because he along with others did seditiously utter statements with the intention of escalating crime in Guyana and to cause insecurity in government. He is a known ex-soldier and it is alledged that most of the terrorist murdering innocent women and children in massacres to be ex-soldiers also and he may have something to do with the criminals. He is, to me, a very dangerous man and was rightfully locked away.

What Roger Khan did as compared to what Mark Benschop and Oliver Hinckson did is uncomparable. Personally to me, if Oliver Hinckson and Mark Benschop was successful in their attempts, we would not be able to fathom the thoughts or the results. We have seen the results of Roger Khan’s work.

[Reply to this]
gtmassive
In reply to the above comment on June 11th, 2008 12:31 pm:
I don’t think goverments are over thrown without weapons!
opgy
on June 10th, 2008 11:26 am

Tra-la-la-la-la.

Even if the government didn’t give permission - which one of us is gonna believe them!!

The history is too clear!

LOL

[Reply to this]
Evan
on June 10th, 2008 11:58 am

The cat and mouse game has begun. RK is providing info in drips and I think he is testing the sincerity of his handlers in Guyana. Guess he has already seen a particular pattern developing, that is, emphatic denial from the PPP governmet which he said he helped to stay in office.

Come on Rohee, you have to be more ingenious with your untruths. Answer this: Why was such sensitive and illegal equipment (according to your outline of the procurement procedures) was returned to RK after the court case was thrown out by the now deceased magistrate Stephney?

[Reply to this]
DAFA 75
on June 10th, 2008 12:23 pm

I believe the Minister, it may be that his Ministry had nothing to do with the autorisation or give Mr Khan permission to purchase the sensitive electronic surveillance equipment. We have to remember the the Goverment of Guyana is a Post-Bureaucratic organisation an it’s the culture (note I said culture not structure) of this organisation in the way its micro managed that no two ministries know exactly what the other is doing.

The main reason for this is one of accountability. So when the Ministry of Home Affairs say no permission was given I am willing to accept that. That’s not to say the autorisation did not come from some other department, which we have yet to hear of. The apparatus of the State was behind Mr Khan rise to prominence and thats a fact plain as day to see.

How much more evidence do we need, genocide has been committed in our beloved country, what ever your political affilication , our people of all races are being killed, we have sanctioned Death squads that have a free rain in our country, Mr Roger Khan was a leader of a death squad or was the public face of the originsation. So of course the Minister of the goverment is going to deny any connection or knowledge or even meeting him. A petition should be draw up to have this individual tried in the Hague.

Talk is all we Guyansese do. When will enough be enough.

[Reply to this]
Guyanese4life
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 1:14 pm:
Dafa….I believe you are missing the point.

The same Home affairs ministry was asked a few days back and stated that the minister had no knowledge since he was not the minister of home affairs when it happened. now a couple days after he comes back to say that the government did not give any permission and outrightly deny the accusation made by RK’s lawyers.

Now if he didn’t know before, then from his actions we are to imply that he sought clarification from the then Home affairs minister and other Government officials to come back with the conclusion. So Post-bureaucratic or not he answered twice. So there is no coming later of yes we gave permission, since all ministers would have seen this article and had a chance to come forward which was not expected.

Its like Luncheon denying knowledge of Khan after he was arrested with guns and ammunition, police officers, wire tapping computer and armoured vehicle. This was in all the newspapers except chronicle for days as a high profile arrest…but yet he denied any knowledge of the man…he probably has memory loss (convenient) that is. Its like the police having a shootout with Blacky in Eccles and he coming back to say that he is now learning who Blacky is.

They are pathetic

[Reply to this]
DAFA 75
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 5:04 pm:
That was my point, he had to get clarification, all the ministries had to. Who do you think they asked? I bet he did not call India to speak to the ambassador. The government is micro managed from the top down.

You will never have any documentation saying it was government policy to provide financing to what was domestic terrorism against it own citizens, the 200 plus persons killed, might have been criminals, but they were Guyaneses.
kiskadee
on June 10th, 2008 12:28 pm

The government’s response to everything that embarrasses them, ranging from corruption to criminal collusion, has been: “provide the evidence” Don’t be afraid Mr. Rohee, this time the evidence will be provided.

If as Mr. Rohee says “the US, like most countries, “has strict export controls on the sale/export of such items” and “In Guyana, such sensitive electronic items could only be procured and imported for the exclusive use of law enforcement”,
how then was Roger Khan able to acquire it without government intervention and why was he allowed to retain it after it was discovered.

Maybe Rohee or perhaps lackeydog, sorry I meant mackydog, can explain.

[Reply to this]
BOEING777
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 12:56 pm:
LOL, very well put. I’m glad you recognised the sycophants in this forum.
As the saying goes… you can take a horse to the water, but you can not make it drink the water….
Many of this regime’s sympathisers will be left with egg on their faces as the RKhan trial goes on. This shameless regime will continue to deny and deny. Hopefully, their sympathisers will eventually cut and run.

[Reply to this]
Guyanese4life
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 1:24 pm:
Kiskadee….its business as usual for the Government

The president and others accuse people daily of crimes without any evidence but as soon as information is provided they claim show us the evidence.

The US is not looking or concerned about the Guyana Government at this time…they could have cared less…Time will come when the people just get tired of the Government and the main opposition and make a change….change the constitution and imprison our president for all his wrong doing. (I liked this man when he started…I have met him numerous times since and see his attitude disintergrate into nothing…Power destroys Guyanese…remove the power of a party with new constitution and more accountability to the people and area representatives.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 8:54 pm:
lol, mackydog is mackydog, no one else yo.

[Reply to this]
BADLALL
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 10:28 pm:
The government did not know that it would come back to bite them later. Roger is safer in NY than he would have been in Guyana at this time. Remember Axel Williams, gun for hire killer he was killed after there was no longer any uses for his services. He knew too much.

[Reply to this]
Essequibo
on June 10th, 2008 2:18 pm

There is so much more to this whole thing than what meets the ears and eyes. RK said he helped the government fight crime and he stands behind that statement.

I can remember the HPS said in one of his press confrences that there was no phantom squad, it was criminal gangs fighting each other. If that was a ‘known’ fact, why then the authorities did not get to the bottom of the whole thing?

The plot thickens as you go around every corner. More suspense in the next episode of The Baron in the cage. Please stay tuned

[Reply to this]
gap1
on June 10th, 2008 2:38 pm

omkar
on June 10th, 2008 8:44 am Dear Editor,

“Government said “rejects outright” …. I guess the use of the inverted commas is SN’ s take so I am trying to understand your purport behind the use of the inverted commas and would appreciate an explanation.

As for those who have commented so far, how schoolboyish of them. Would it not have been more prudent to see the outcome of the government’s request to the US authorities then comment. But then again prudence is denied those who are endowed with sass.

The SN is degenrating into a tabloid when it encourages such folly. Is this SN’s objective?”

Wow! And Stabroek news printed this “Sassy”, “Schoolboyish” comment again! SN, you should really try to behave yourselves! Do not print free speech! The people have no right to critique the govt! I demand that you drop free speech now!

Omkar, do me a favor, take a hike!

[Reply to this]
BLAX
on June 10th, 2008 2:48 pm

Roger Khan was only a front man in the whole operation and he will not be a scapegoat , I am sure he will start naming people who hold high offices that was involve in the drug underworld ,All drug dealer has a Top dog to be accountable to.

[Reply to this]
cochore
on June 10th, 2008 3:02 pm

This is the beginning of the end for the PPP regime, and Roger Khan, in a strange way, is facilitating a peacefull change of power instead of a bloody revolution for the Guyanese people. Racial voting will never be a factor in Guyana’s politics anymore. Most people of all races and creeds are decent lawabiding citizens who see crime and corruption as the ultimate betrayal. No party leader is skillfull enough to successfully explain away the Roger Khan association with the PPP government. Denial or not….. enough is enough and this is very bad stuff for Guyanese to stomach regardless of political persuasion.

[Reply to this]
pepie
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 8:30 pm:
You might me right here…..only if this could be a reality.

[Reply to this]
de canadianCarl Veecock
on June 10th, 2008 3:03 pm

Well the Government fooled me.

I said emphatically that they would NEVER come out with a statement, but I did say that they would never admit to giving any permission. Of course, I am
referring to the Government of Guyana.

It is amazing that the Government of Guyana would make such a denial.
What? They have no respect for the US Ambassador in their midst?
Don’t they know or think that he has all the facts right there at his desk?

This is such a weak display of diplomacy.

Come on UG…run some immediate courses in practical diplomacy.
I am ready to come down and run the course.

[Reply to this]
rwilliams
on June 10th, 2008 3:28 pm

A million thanks to Stabroek News for providing this forum,allowing all of us, to express our views, in such a candid manner across partisan lines.
Surely, if the PPP’s political administration had its way, considering its recent move to repress Stabroek News by denying it paid government ads etc; we would have been denied this excellent forum, to exchange our views, in such a democratic manner, in the ultimate interest of transparency, accountability, reform, change and the nurturing of democratic governance in Guyana.
Kudos to Stabroek News for providing us with this excellent forum in which we can dialogue and exchange our views with the global community.

[Reply to this]
de canadianCarl Veecock
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 10:13 pm:
Well put rwilliams.

Right now I am writing an article on the use of this Forum.

Stay posted. You will like it.

[Reply to this]
Guy99
on June 10th, 2008 3:30 pm

I expect the Guyana government denial of giving Roger Khan permission to purchase spy equipment, but I am waiting for them to explain why did they give him back the equipment after the government found it,

[Reply to this]
diatonic
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 5:29 pm:
Yes I agree with you Guy99 we want them (The government of Guyana ) to explain why did they give back Roger Khan the equipment after the government found it in his possession?

[Reply to this]
Arcadia Terry
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 8:48 pm:
There is one man who can answer all these questions for the Goverment and he is the Ambasador who is in India THEY NEED TO RETURN HIM NOW .the former Minister of Home Afairs

[Reply to this]
vatvic
on June 10th, 2008 5:45 pm

Reports coming in say Jagdeo has grown a long nose (about 2 meters ) and luncheon was seen running out of the presidents office with his pants on fire. in the meantime Rohee start going to church.

[Reply to this]
Blackrattlesnake
on June 10th, 2008 7:43 pm

Amazing…..amazing…….Minister of Home Affairs statement is beyond belief……”Oh! what a tangle web we weave……when we try to decieve”…..he’s now confirmed the Govt involvement with that utterly stupid statement. As pointed out……if equipment was not sanctioned by the Govt……or imported illegally…..why wasn’t Khan & Co…..charged on that count……and why was equipment returned to him???????

[Reply to this]
ms guyana
on June 10th, 2008 7:43 pm

where is the equipment?

[Reply to this]
de canadianCarl Veecock
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 10:11 pm:
The Army is supposed to have it, but then we cannot be too sure.

One report did say that the equipment was returned to Khan, but we
cannot rely on that news.

mackydog would for sure have the answer or perhaps the Moderator.

[Reply to this]
Imausar
on June 10th, 2008 9:49 pm

My fellow comrades!! Love it!!!! Think!!
Did the government “reject outright” authorizing the importation of the equipment by Roger Khan? Did Rohee provide a signed copy of the statement? Was Rohee speaking for himself or the government? You may ask why I’m asking these questions. Honestly, I believe that this government is crooked, and when the facts are presented they will say that they never made that statement, and Rohee will have the opportunity to recant and say he was speaking for himself. Ho!!! Before I go!!! What of the armor vehicle? Is it legal to have or do it need government approval? How did it pass customs? Lastly, the million dollar question, who give back the electronic equipment and the armor vehicle to Khan? My regards to the HPS!!!!!

Hotep

[Reply to this]
BADLALL
on June 10th, 2008 10:20 pm

Guess what folks the CARTER CENTER (Jimmy Carter) which brought the PPP into power has quietly left the country seems like they are not coming back. The Center thought change will come with a new govt “Lord what have they done”. It is owed to the nation for the Carter Center to make a statement as what is happening in Guyana. .

[Reply to this]
shai4me
on June 10th, 2008 10:27 pm

Roger khan through his lawyer is sending a very strong message to The government of Guyana that reads, I am not going alone .Every new story on this man is strongly asserting his position that a working relationship was
established among both parties . The US government has made this case against Khan having evidence to guarantee a conviction . The involvement of the FBI is a clear indication that things are getting serious. It seems as though Khan’s lawyer is not interested in the narcotic charges, but rather in the involvement of the government and the police force.

[Reply to this]
BADLALL
In reply to the above comment on June 10th, 2008 10:36 pm:
Let us revisit Manuel Noriega of Panama he is in a Miami jail. Maybe the US military will pay a courtesy call on Guyana when the time is right. One step at a time.

[Reply to this]
Carl
on June 10th, 2008 11:05 pm

If there was ever a denial that reeks of equivocation, then the denial issued by Home Affairs is it. Consequently, the caption of Stabroek News’ story should have clearly stated that the Home Affairs Ministry, not the government, has denied granting Khan permission to purchase the spy equipment. Why? Because Roger Khan’s lawyer never mentioned a specific ministry; therefore, the government’s denial should have covered all ministries, embassies, and institutions under the government’s control, including the Office of the President.

The government’s decision to only refer to Home Affairs deviously plays to the public’s logical conclusion that Home Affairs likely granted the permission, and was made in the hope of ending discussion and speculations on the matter.

Well, I reject the government’s equivocal denial and call upon President Jagdeo to deny that no government ministry or other institution was directly or indirectly involved in helping Khan to obtain the spy equipment.

Yes, you should make the denial, President Jagdeo. After all, you ought to know what is going on in your government. And if you don’t know, then use the polygraph to find out.

Act now, Mr. President, for the image of our nation is at stake.

By the way, you should know more about what is going on in your government than you do about what’s in the law books our judges use to make the decisions that you and Minister Rohee take pleasure in criticizing.

[Reply to this]
justice4all
on June 11th, 2008 4:32 am

In reply to popeoplefedup comments on my initial piece, this is a strategy as old as time. It is borrowed from the right in the US who attempt to silence African Americans expressions about racism by label such expressions racist. in other words, if they can convolute the pointing out of racist outings into racism it will obfuscate the cultural tradition of anti black prejudice. Sorry, this homey do not play that game.

Next, you need to read comments more carefully before putting your keyboard in gear. I wrote “many in the latter group and in Khans’ organization”. I did not say all Indians. It would be stupid for anyone to extrapolate the behaviour of some across an entire group. We see this practice in Buxton, although the screwy pattern of your reasoning probaly justifies it. However, I do not come from a nurturing that indoctrinated me into the myth that I am superior because of my race, or that one bad apple should indict the contents of an entire barrel. Your Freudian projections are the usual responses from that side of the aisle feverishly trying to limit racism and prejudice to non traditional areas. I reject the absurdity totally. Absolute rubbish.

You, as is usual with many of your political ilk when the issue of racism does not take the paradigm established in Guyana since 1992, made that leap of context. Any perusal of Guyana blogs, letters to newspapers including the Chronicle, would have, and still would, disclose that many take vicarious enjoyment in the exploits of Roger Khan. There are post which praised him for the killings. These of course are not the racial aspects of Guyana that perturb those of your persuasion. Rather, exposure of these sacred cows is what gives rise to feigned indignation. Give me a break!

[Reply to this]
popeoplefedup
In reply to the above comment on June 11th, 2008 11:01 pm:
You obviously were entangled in biased retort to my claims which is why you conveniently excluded this sentence:

“He was after killing a demographic group as a cathartic remedy for the just fears of another demographic group who perceived themselves as being under siege. ”

That is the sentence immediately prior to the one you prefaced to defend your glaring generalizations and prejudice against Indians. Did you, by virtue of that glaring, incontrovertible indulgence in hasty generalization, not spotlighted your uncontrollable urge for perpetuating racism? Where is the qualifier in that sentence which speaks to the contrary? Isn’t that sentence a display of the same stupidity you append for anyone extrapolating vices one for all of an ethnic group?

Convenietly, you neglected to cite that sentence, while using the consequent, to defend your indisputable racist contempt of Indians.

I support black consciousness as fervently as Walter Rodney did, but I think the basic difference between you two is that he upheld humanity, while pursuing the empowerment of his people. You, quite unfortunately, pursue the empowerment of your people to the detriment of another.

In your own words, I hasten to declaim:

“I reject the absurdity totally. Absolute rubbish.”

Yours is a cause which shall always, in its self- obfuscation because of prejudiced leaders, shall always fail. Is it any wonder that as you trumpet your rhetoric of hate, the underprivileged of Buxton to Ann’s Grove to Dartmouth wallow in misery?

[Reply to this]
gap1
on June 11th, 2008 9:54 am

I think the real horror and embarrassment to Guyana and Guyanese will come when during the trial, the details of who he taped or spied upon and for whom.

Or who in the govt had full knowledge of these tapes being done. All the evidence that has been released so far about these equipments is suggesting some sort of a “special treatment” by some in high places of RK’s “tools of his trade”.

There is also another matter to consider here folks, what if Roger Khan, even though he was sympathetic to the govt, did in fact tape some of his conversations with members in the Administration?

If memory serves me correctly, and I may be wrong, Khan made a call to both Luncheon and Jagdeo or at least he claimed he did, when he was in Suriname so it would be logical to assume that that is not the first time he would have had conversations with any of them.

Knowing Khan, he may have thought that he needed some sort of an insurance just in case…..

Thoughts to ponder.

[Reply to this]
MS_msprobe
on June 11th, 2008 1:24 pm

People let me inform you about this equipment that RK had. Firstly this type of equipment could ONLY be acquire by government, FBI, etc, this type of equipment will never sell to anyone just like that no matter what. Secondly the government is just making a mockery of itself becasue Minister Garaj was there at the time when this man got this equipment, Gadraj was given another post, Consulate to india for Guyana. There is more to learn but wait up let the court give RK the opportunity to explain in detail about his attachment with the government of Guyana and the secret that was going on. LARRY KING LIVE will get this to the public after they prosecute RK. Don’t worry!

[Reply to this]
motherofmine
In reply to the above comment on June 11th, 2008 2:50 pm:
this is not entirely true, programs can be written for any computer to acheve the same results, in misouri, you can finf 18 and 19 year old who can do this, this is to say that you might not need government sanction to purches this mount clair stste university offeres this program

[Reply to this]
MS_msprobe
In reply to the above comment on June 11th, 2008 3:58 pm:
Buddy! there is many stuff that can be written i can do it myself too, you can get it from china as well…duh! but we are talking to the magnitude of this sinario. I used to work for the CIA and i know what is it like… Don’t be fool.
bigpraff
on June 11th, 2008 1:41 pm

When will the true leaders stand up and represent Guyana? The leaders are full of ineptitude and a lack there of. Guyana needs a new set of leaders from top to bottom. I would like to see a nation where there is no PPP or PNC as the ruling party. Their ideologies are a thing of the pass and it has not done nothing but hurt a nation with so much promise. The honorable minister has to say something to make the Guyana government look good but the house of cards will come crumbling down. Rk was allowed to become a renegade for the government and now he is in the clutches of a trap He is singing like a canary bird. He should tell for all to hear and see what the Guyana Government is has been perpetuating since they have been on POWER….

[Reply to this]