Some 78 soldiers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are currently Absent Without Leave (AWOL) for this year.
These soldiers, a GDF advertisement said, are asked to report to the nearest military installation or police station for further processing. Further, the army advises employers that these AWOL soldiers can be picked up at any time.
Individuals with information regarding the whereabouts of these ranks are asked to report it to the nearest police station or contact the army on telephone numbers: 226-9888 or 226-7662.
It was previously reported in Stabroek News that from 2004 to last year more than 534 soldiers had deserted the GDF. For last year alone 150 absconded from the army. According to the Defence Act every person subject to military law under this act who absents himself without leave; or persuades or procures any person subject to service law to absent himself without leave shall on conviction by court-martial, be liable to imprisonment for two years or any less punishment provided by the act.
Stabroek News was told last December that absentee soldiers below the rank of substantive corporal returning to the fold are usually tried departmentally and would receive various sentences most times not exceeding one year. After the sentencing the soldier’s status (rank) would be reduced.
