GDF says ranks at Lethem assaulted, but did not rape woman

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said last night that it had found no evidence to support an allegation of rape made against some of its ranks by a resident of Lethem.

According to a press release issued by the GDF, a Board of Investigation (BOI) deployed to Lethem on February 18, “was able to conclude that there were several breaches to the GDF’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as well as verify that some of the ranks under investigation physically assaulted a female in the vicinity of the Republic Bank, Lethem.”

The release said Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips has since instructed that corrective action be taken against the soldiers involved, and that the operational posture of the ranks based at Camp Kanuku be redefined, so as to ensure that the cordial and harmonious relations with the residents of Lethem is maintained.