A Surinamese national, who travelled to Guyana illegally to take his family back home, was yesterday fined for illegal entry at a city court.
Ashepali Mohammed, 33, of Paramaribo, Suriname, failed to declare himself to the nearest immigration authority, as he was required to do, after gaining entry into the country through Spring-lands, Corentyne, prosecutor Deniro Jones told Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Prosecutor Jones stated that Mohammed committed the crime on August 28th.
According to Jones, after Mohammed gained entry, he reportedly traveled to Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, where he was held by police. After questioning revealed his illegal status in the country, the man was subsequently charged.
Mohammed, during his interrogation, had reportedly told the police that he had travelled to the country to take his family back to Suriname so his children could attend school.
Mohammed’s attorney told the court that the defendant knows he was wrong and was deeply remorseful for his actions and a plea was made for the court to be lenient in the passing of the sentence.
When asked if he’d like to say anything in relation to the charge, Mohammed, who was being translated by his wife Sunita Persaud, stated that this was the first time he was travelling to the country and he would not be returning.
Magistrate McLennan subsequently fined the Surinamese national $30,000. If he is unable to pay this fine, he will be required to spend an alternative of four weeks in prison.
