Three recently dismissed Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers have been charged following a rape complaint by a Mabaruma girl and a fourth is awaiting due process.
This was disclosed today by the GDF which reported in a press release on both its Board of Inquiry (BOI) and the police investigation.
The GDF release disclosed that its BOI has led to disciplinary action against two Officers and four Other Ranks.
Four of these ranks have since been dismissed and the disciplinary process is ongoing against the others.
Stabroek News understands that the incident allegedly took place sometime between February 6th and 7th.
A reliable source informed this newspaper that the complainant and a group of girls were present at a club. However, they were subsequently asked to leave by persons who knew them to be schoolchildren.
Stabroek News was told that the authorities were informed about the incident after the complainant told a member of the community that she had been raped.
A report was then lodged with the police.
The release from the GDF follows:
The Board of Inquiry convened to investigate the circumstances which led to an allegation of rape being levelled against Guyana Defence Force ranks in Mabaruma, Region One, has led to disciplinary actions taken against two Officers and four Other Ranks. The BOI found that the ranks seriously breached operational orders while deployed on border duty and were therefore disciplined accordingly. Four of these ranks have since been dismissed and the disciplinary process is ongoing against the others.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force has charged and placed before the court three of those ex-soldiers in relation to the rape allegation, while the fourth is awaiting due process from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force are bound by the Values and Standards of the Force, and, as such, their conduct and professionalism are of paramount importance. The defence and security of the nation and our citizens are tasks which the Force will always aim to execute with the highest moral, ethical and professional standards.
