Arrest warrants have been issued for the teen, whose genital area was set afire by police last year during a murder investigation, and two other men who were allegedly wounded during the investigation.
Almost a year after the incident, which drew national and international
condemnation, the matter is yet to begin.
The complainants have not turned up to court and last Thursday, Magistrate Nyasha Williams-Hatmin issued arrest warrants for Deonarine Rafick, Nouravie Wilfred and the teenager. The case was called again yesterday but the complainants were not present and the matter, being heard at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court is scheduled to come up again next week.
Three policemen were charged with maliciously wounding the three suspects during the investigation into the murder of retired Region Three vice-chairman Ramenauth Bisram. The case drew national and international condemnation after it was revealed that the 15-year-old boy had his genital area set afire by policemen.
Sergeant Narine Lall, Constable Mohanram Dolai and Corporal Oswald Foo were charged last November. According to the charges brought against the trio, on October 28, at the Leonora Police Station, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Rafick, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm.
A second charge against Lall and Dolai alleges that between October 20 and 29 at the Leonora Police Station; they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Wilfred. The duo was also slapped with a charge of felonious wounding, which alleges that they unlawfully and maliciously wounding the 15-year-old boy, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm. This incident allegedly occurred on October 28 at the Leonora Police Station.
Wilfred, Rafick and the teen were arrested following the murder of Bisram. A wounded and battered Rafick was charged with the murder, remanded to prison but later released after it was determined that a confession statement reportedly given by him, which was the foundation of the case against him, had not been given freely and voluntarily
Wilfred was released after having been in police custody for a week.
The teen had been severely burnt in his genital area and it was only after the case was reported in the media that he was taken to the hospital.
His case drew international condemnation with the matter raised at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Earlier this year, when the case was called in court the complainants were not present to give their testimony and the case was put down for last month.
It was put down to last Thursday again as the magistrate was out of the jurisdiction when the case was scheduled to be called in September.
Last Thursday the warrants were issued and the matter deferred to yesterday. It comes up again next week.
The teen, through his attorney Khemraj Ramjattan had also filed a constitutional motion and this was heard by Justice Roxanne George. Her judgment is being awaited.
