Six men were remanded on charges relating to the theft and possession of an army AK-47 rifle when they were brought before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Roy Jones called ‘Rambo’, Paul Rajigadoo, Alvin Wilson, Sharth Robertson and Devon Sharp were all charged with conspiracy to commit the theft of AK 47 Serial No. 410416, worth $360,000, property of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Alwin Fraser was charged with receiving stolen property knowing that it was feloniously stolen. He was also charged with the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition. All the charges are indictable.
The AK 47 is said to have been stolen within the period November 23 to November 30, while the offences by Fraser were allegedly committed between November 26 and February 14.
Robertson, an interdicted GDF rank, and the number four accused were represented by attorney-at-law Basil Williams. In an application he said that conspiracy has always been an offence that attracted bail. Williams contended that 20-year-old Robertson of 22 James Street, Hopetown, West Coast Berbice was detained by the army and allegedly tortured in connection with his missing gun. He said that his client was held by the army since he was arrested and only sent to Brickdam on Friday.
Defendant number two Paul Rajigadoo was represented by Mishka Puran, who contended that her client had no involvement in the matter and had made a statement to this effect. He was however reportedly re-arrested and subsequently forced to sign a statement. She also alleged that the first statement was destroyed. The 32-year-old Rajigadoo of Corentyne, Berbice had been in custody for five days and was allegedly beaten by prisoners at the Brickdam police station. Puran said although her client reported that he was beaten he was not removed. Rajigadoo is a police constable who has been interdicted from duty.
Alvin Wilson, the number three defendant of Paradise Village, West Cost Berbice was represented by attorney Leslie Sobers. He noted that Wilson has been in the service of the army for almost 32 years and was already charged, tried and penalized in connection with the said weapon. He also contended that his client had been incarcerated for 72 days and had no intention to flee the jurisdiction.
The other defendants were unrepresented but spoke out in their defence saying the allegations against them had no basis. They all said they were tortured while in the custody of the army.
The police prosecutor objected to bail citing the seriousness and prevalence of the crime. She told the magistrate to take into consideration that this is an army weapon and a very serious matter indeed.
The magistrate refused bail and the matter returns to court on March 12.
