The reputed husband of Bibi Raffina Saymar, Denis Persaud, and Troy Greene, the alleged ‘hit-man’, were remanded to prison yesterday when they appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court charged with the capital offence.
Magistrate Nyasha Hatmin read the indictable charge to the duo which alleges that on May 29 at Hague, West Coast Demerara they murdered Bibi Saymar.
In the packed courtroom, there was a hush as persons awaited the arrival of the accused.
As he stood in the dock, Persaud was expressionless and was not asked to say anything. However an appearance was entered on his behalf by attorney Vic Puran.
Attorney Mishka Puran appeared on Greene’s behalf and asked the magistrate for her client to be afforded the opportunity to seek medical attention. Puran said that Greene had levelled allegations of police brutality against several officers at the Leonora Police Station and there were visible injuries on his body, including his face, torso and legs.
The attorney added that a request was made for him to see a doctor but the request went unheeded by the police.
When asked by the magistrate who had beaten him, Greene said he was “beaten by police”. He said that the incident allegedly took place on the morning of Saturday, May 29 at the station where “Mr. Paul and five other police beat me.”
Prosecutor, Inspector Sherwin Roberts said that the file on the matter is not complete and the prosecution is still awaiting advice from the DPP. He asked for an early date for the Preliminary Inquiry to begin. Roberts indicated to the magistrate that Greene would be taken to the hospital later in the day.
The duo was remanded to prison until July 13 when a date for the commencement of the PI will be determined.
There was an exodus from the courtroom as the accused were led away. Several persons attempted to catch a further glimpse of the men as they were led to the lock-ups. Afterwards persons stood in the courtyard discussing the case.
Meanwhile, outside the court Mishka Puran speaking with reporters said that when she visited her client at the Leonora Police Station he informed her that he was beaten and showed her injuries to his legs, chest, cheek and foot that were consistent with a beating. She added that he was able to identify the officers however she would not disclose their identity at present.
She said that her interview with Greene was conducted in the presence of an officer who had interceded on his behalf to spare him from being severely beaten by his colleagues.
Meanwhile, Zahir Kassim, Saymar’s brother said that the men should be tried right away and not be remanded. In a solemn mood, he related that he did not have much contact with his sister since Persaud tried to keep her away from her family. He said he last spoke to her two days before her death and she seemed fine.
He said their mother could not make it to court because she was still distraught over Saymar’s death which was having a profound impact on her.
Kassim said that funeral arrangements have not been made as yet since they are awaiting the arrival of several overseas-based relatives. However, a funeral is expected by weekend.
Meanwhile, the taxi driver who was in police custody assisting in investigations was released on station bail late yesterday. Based on the advice from the DPP, only Persaud and Greene were charged.
Saymar was found lying on her bedroom floor with 11 stab wounds to her body early Saturday morning. Neighbours had reported hearing screams coming from the woman’s home, after which a man was seen leaving her apartment.
They informed the police who responded promptly and Saymar was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The post-mortem performed on Saymar’s body on Wednesday revealed that she died from hemorrhage and shock due to multiple stab wounds. (Candace Phillips)
