The family of one of the four fishermen, whose body washed ashore in Mahaicony two weeks ago after their boat was attacked by pirates in Surinamese waters, said police have not released his body because they believe it might be a case of mistaken identity.
Debbie Gopie said a post-mortem examination was performed early last week after she identified the body as that of her brother Andrew Gopie; the cause of death was given as drowning. However, she said the police did not release the body to the family when they requested it. She said they were told that samples were being taken from the remains to send overseas for testing.
“We need our brother’s body to cremate him. I can’t understand why
they would say it might not be my brother. I know my brother. That’s him. He had a tattoo on his right hand and his chest,” she said.
Meanwhile, the other three families continue to search for their loved ones.
The attack was carried out on July 9, nearly two hours after midnight. The boat was stripped of its cargo and possessions and set adrift, while the men were thrown overboard, one by one. The captain Feroze Hack, the lone survivor, has since been placed on station bail and is required to visit the B/V police station every day.
Hack said he has done and will continue to do everything to ensure that the families of his crewmen get justice.
He said pirate incidents happen all the time and many fishermen fall victim. He insisted that there was need for better security to protect fishermen at sea.
Responding to suspicions aired by family members, he said he was very hurt to be labelled a suspect and vowed to respond to everything and to everyone because he understands the pain they are going through. In response to the boat floating more than 100 miles from the site of the piracy, he said the tides and winds are so strong that it is not only possible but easily explainable.
A police source had said Hack’s information seemed credible and they will continue investigations based on information provided. The police detective said they had no suspicion about the boat turning up in Mahaicony because of the currents.
