Keeping you updated on current events... ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER
Thursday July 8, 2021
HAITIAN PRESIDENT JOVENEL MOISE ASSASSINATED IN HIS HOME
CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT DPP TO REVIEW MAGISTRATE’S DECISION TO WHETHER WIDOW OF ASSASSINATED DISCHARGE TWO IN HENRY MURDER PI HAITIAN PRESIDENT IS ALIVE
Thursday July 8, 2021
HAITIAN PRESIDENT JOVENEL MOISE ASSASSINATED IN HIS HOME
The Late Jovenel Moise, the president of Haiti
Jovenel Moise, the president of Haiti, was assassinated overnight in his home. The interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph says he is now leading the country. The president of Haiti, Jovenel Moise, 53, was shot and killed in his private residence, the interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph announced Wednesday “The president was assassinated at his home by foreigners who spoke
English and Spanish,” Joseph told AFP, labeling the assassination a “hateful, inhumane and barbaric act.” He added, “All measures are being taken to guarantee the continuity of the state and to protect the nation.” “The president was assassinated at his home by foreigners who spoke English and Spanish,” Joseph told AFP, labeling the assassination a “hateful, inhumane and barbaric act.” He added,
“All measures are being taken to guarantee the continuity of the state and to protect the nation.” “The president was assassinated at his home by foreigners who spoke English and Spanish,” Joseph told AFP, labeling the assassination a “hateful, inhumane and barbaric act.” He added, “All measures are being taken to guarantee the continuity of the state and to protect the nation.” Moise’s legacy and
place in Haitian politics Moise had been ruling Haiti’s population of over 11 million by decree since the 2018 elections were delayed over a series of political disputes, including when Moise’s term was set to expire. Parliament was dissolved as a result. Sixty percent of the population makes less than $2 (€1.70) a day and food and fuel shortages have led to spiraling inflation. Many in Haiti view Moise’s rule as illegitimate as his term legally ended in February 2021. He cycled through seven prime ministers in four years and faced a strong opposition protest movement. Opposition leaders accuse him of being power-hungry and criticize his approval of a decree that limited the power of courts to perform audits on public
CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT WHETHER WIDOW OF ASSASSINATED HAITIAN PRESIDENT IS ALIVE
Martine Moïse, who’s the widow of the late Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse.
There are conflicting reports about the status of Martine Moïse, who’s the widow of the late Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse. Diplomatic sources in Haiti had confirmed this morning that Mrs. Moïse had succumbed to injuries she sustained during the
gun attack this morning in which her husband was killed. A word from highlevel Haitian diplomatic circles had reportedly led to several regional government and opposition members expressing regret at what
was reported to be the passing of the first lady. The reports were carried by multiple media outlets across the region. However, some media reports in the United States are now quoting Haitian Ambassador to the US, Bocchit Edmond, as
saying Mrs. Moïse is alive and will be transported to Miami for further treatment. Some US media reports say Mrs. Moïse is in stable but critical condition. In a tweet a short while ago, Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson-Smith noted the conflicting reports surrounding Mrs. Moïse’s condition. Tensions are currently high in Haiti following the assassination of Mrs. Moïse’s husband who had been leading Haiti for approximately four years. The house occupied by the Haitian President and his wife was invaded by heavily armed men at approximately 1:30 am. The men shot and killed Mr. Moïse. There’s been an outpouring of condemnation across the world following the assassination.
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procurement contracts and another creating an intelligence service that only answers to the president. His supporters argue his term did not legally begin until 2017 following a chaotic election and a year-long hiatus that forced the appointment of a provisional president. Haiti is scheduled to have a constitutional referendum in September over a much-criticized effort of Moise to strengthen the executive branch in addition to presidential, legislative, and local elections. The current constitution declares “any popular consultation aimed at modifying the Constitution by referendum is formally prohibited.” It was written in 1987 after the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship Reactions to the assassination In Port-au-Prince
Wednesday, the streets were quiet with some reports of gunfire and looting said to have taken place in one area. Recently there has been an uptick in violence and kidnappings for ransom as gangs and police vie for control of the streets. The Dominican Republic announced it was closing its border on the island Hispaniola that it shares with Haiti. Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation but has yet to speak publicly. The US Embassy announced it would be closed Wednesday due to the deteriorated security situation in Haiti. On June 30, the embassy had condemned human rights violations and attacks on press freedom in the country and called on the government to act against armed gangs.
Thursday July 8, 2021
His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on the assassination of His Excellency Jovenel Moïse, President of the Republic I am shocked and values of the regional to the Government and of Haiti. stunned by the tragic integration movement people of the Republic news of the assassination of the President of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency Jovenel Moïse. This horrific act is a tragedy for both Haiti and the Caribbean. Those responsible for this indefensible and cowardly execution must be brought swiftly to justice. Political assassination has no place in the contemporary Caribbean. It solves nothing nor resolves anything. Such murderous actions are repugnant to the
His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali
and incompatible with democratic values and constitutional rule. The assassination of President Moïse compounds the already disquieting political and constitutional crisis in Haiti. Guyana will continue to work with the Caribbean Community in seeking to engage with Haiti in order to ensure peace and stability. On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, and on my own behalf, I extend deepest condolences
of Haiti and to the wife and family of our dear departed brother, Jovenel. I ask all Guyanese to pay respectful homage to the memory of our fallen Caribbean statesman.
Statement of the Leader of the People’s National Congress on the assassination of the President of Haiti H.E Jovenel Moïse Leader of the People’s National Congress, Mr. David Granger, has learned with alarm the sad news of the assassination of the President of Haiti H.E Jovenel Moïse. Mr. Granger condemns the hateful murder of the President of a Caribbean state. The assassination of President Moïse and the attack on his family are abhorrent and abominable. The Leader has also called on Haiti’s Prime Minister to
Leader of the People’s National Congress, Mr. David Granger,
preserve peace, maintain public order, and bring the culprits responsible for this crime to justice. Mr. Granger extended his wishes for a speedy recovery to the first lady of Haiti, H.E Martine Moïse, who was seriously injured during the attack. The Leader and the People’s National Congress send their deepest condolences to the Moïse family and the people of the Government of the Republic of Haiti.
GHRA WELCOMES COMMENTARY FROM FMR POLICE COMMISSIONER
A long letter in the Stabroek News (SN 6/7) by former Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, makes the case that political rather than other info@guyanapostonline.com
factors were responsible for the electoral disturbances on West Coast Berbice in 2020. His carefully documented commentary
on the political dimensions of the WCD disturbances and murders constitutes a valuable public service. The retired Commissioner prioritizes
political incitement rather than ethnic animosities as the root cause of the disturbances; reminds us that the horrific death toll of the disturbances was eleven rather than the much-publicized three; raises the possible influence of organized crime if the Henry murders were in fact linked to their destroying a ganja field and notes the destruction of forensic evidence at the crime scenes. The Guyana Human Rights Association endorses all these points. However, for completeness’ sake,
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the spectre of political interference hanging over the case must be extended to include the refusal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to permit the Guyana Police Force to benefit from the services they sought from the internationally distinguished Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (EAAF). The cost of depriving the GPF of the international forensic support sought must include the collapse of the case in the Magistrate’s Court against the three men charged with the Henry boys’
murders, Akash Singh, Vinod Gopaul, and Anil Sanchara. Apart from its impact on public confidence, this setback for the prosecution must take its toll on the morale of the CID, further adding to the generalized turmoil currently seizing the Guyana Police Force. Without political acceptance of the need for impartial external expertise, the important and wide-ranging issues raised by Commissioner Persaud’s letter are unlikely to see the light of day in this ill-fated investigation.
Thursday July 8, 2021
DPP to review Magistrate’s decision to discharge two in Henry murder PI
Hours after two of three men who were charged for the brutal murder of Berbice teen Isaiah henry were discharged following
no-case submissions being upheld by a Magistrate on the basis that there was not enough evidence to go ahead with
the case, the Director of Public Prosecution DPP has written to Magistrate Peter Hugh requesting the documents from the
preliminary inquiry. Vinood Gopaul and Anil Sancharia were both discharged for the murder of Isaiah Henry by Magistrate Peter Hugh. This move came as the DDP claims that was on the basis of the fact that there was sufficient evidence against the two charges were instituted. The DDP insisted that there is a need to ascertain why the accused were discharged and to take appropriate action. Both Gopaul and Sancharia were discharged after Attorney Dexter Todd had argued that the evidence against Gopaul and Sancharia was not enough to establish a case against the two accused and that
the matter against the two should not continue. The argument was agreed to by Magistrate Hugh and two men were set free from that charge, which leaves them facing the second murder charge for Joel Henry. This has not left the preliminary inquiry into the murder of Joel Henry to be continued and that is now set to begin on August 10, as all the accused will remain in custody until the completion of the second PI. Todd did not represent the third accused, Akash Singh. Sancharia and Gopaul, are to be charged jointly while Singh will face his own murder charge. The teenage cousins,
Isaiah and Joel Henry were found murdered in the Cotton Tree Backdam, West Coast Berbice one day after they went to pick coconuts in the #3 Village backdam back in September 2020. Their bodies were found mutilated and with multiple chop wounds including slashes to their necks and backs. The bodies also appeared to have been moved from the scene of the crime and placed in another area where they were eventually discovered. The double murder led to days of protest action on the West Coast of Berbice as family members and villagers demanded justice.
BK GROUP OF COMPANIES DONATED FLOOD RELIEF TO CDC
CDC’s Logistics Officer, Captain Michael Andrews receives donations from the Director of BK Group of Companies, Mr. Brian Kyle Tiwarie.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) today received a sizeable donation from the BK Group of Companies. This donation will help the Commission’s nationwide flood relief efforts, according to the CDC. The donations which include flour, sugar, rice, and pasta were handed over to CDC’s Logistics
Officer, Captain Michael Andrews in the compound of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG). Director of BK Group of Companies, Mrs. Briony Tiwarie-Gabriel said that the company feels obligated to support the effort of the CDC, noting that no one should endure such disaster.
“It’s our corporate responsibility to give back. We are happy to make our contribution to the flood victims and we will continue to do what we can in order to assist our fellow Guyanese,” Mrs. Tiwarie-Gabriel said. Since the massive flood countrywide, the CDC has implemented several measures
to ensure the lives of citizens return to normalcy. The government has conducted a number of flood assessments in affected communities and immediate interventions were made to lessen the impact. Additionally, thousands of food and sanitation hampers have Director of BK Group of Companies, Mrs. been delivered Briony Tiwarie-Gabriel
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Thursday July 8, 2021
BK International seals Mahaicony sea defence breaches within months …awaits certificate of completion
Guyana’s leading sea defence contractor, BK International, consolidated its performance record when it completed over one kilometer of government sea defence within months of the contract awards. The Atlantic Ocean has been attacking the coastline for decades, forcing sea defence maintenance and new sea defence works from the Essequibo Coast to the Corentyne Coast.
The most recent work completion by BK International involved sea defence breaches at Content, and Danzig, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. The Atlantic had created breaches that threatened homes and farmlands in the Mahaicony district. Two contractors, MB Construction and Ryasstad, had been awarded the contracts to seal the breaches. After months of laboring they could not seal the
breaches. The residents of the area became angry and frustrated. During that time the government summoned BK International and entered into an agreement with BK International for the supply of 20,000 tons of boulders on November 1, 2019, to conduct emergency works. The contract also involved the contracting company completely rehabilitate the earthen embankment. On December 31, 2019,
the government amended the original contract for 20,000 tons of boulders to include an additional 10,000 tons. The breach was still not sealed. The government in desperation, turned to BK International to take control of the works. The saltwater from the Atlantic had already caused havoc among the residents at Mahaicony. Crops were lost and livestock killed. Emergency works were necessary. The contracts with MB Construction and Ryasstad were cancelled and awarded to BK International. On June 16, 2020, the government further
amended the two supply contracts it awarded BK International. The company was now required to seal 450 metres of sea defence at Danzig, Mahaicony. The contract also entailed rehabilitating the existing boulder slope. This contract was completed on May 12, 2021. As this work was progressing the government contracted BK International to seal a further 500 metres of sea defence, this time at Content, Mahaicony. This contract was also signed on June 16, 2020. Chief Engineer Ganesh Sawh said that the 500-metre breach
at Content, Mahaicony, was sealed within five months, on November 2020. However, design flaws saw overtopping and more flooding of the homes and farm lands in the community. Mr. Sawh said that the design was not resilient. The entire 500 metres had to be re-done. It took the company a further seven months to correct the design and to seal the breach. This was achieved on June 21, 2021. The company, on completion of the works, supplied the government with the two notices of completion. It is still awaiting the certificate of completion.
Two charged with taxi driver murder, one reportedly confesses
Seyon James
Kenty Bacchus
Two men who were reportedly fingered in the brutal killing of a taxi driver during a robbery and later dumping his body in the Ogle area have been charged and remanded to jail for murder. The two Kenty Bacchus, called ‘Trini’, and Seyon James, called
info@guyanapostonline.com
‘Lil Alfey’ appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and were both not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge. It is alleged that the two on June 30, 2021, at Block 1 Ogle, East Coast Demerara, murdered
53-year-old taxi driver, Kenrick Trim, during the course and furtherance of a robbery The two were later remanded to prison until August 6, 2021. Reports are that the body Trim, of Belfield Housing Scheme; East Coast Demerara, was found just after 9:00 am
the said morning. It was believed that he may have been dumped there with stab wounds and a battered body. An examination of the body found that Trim had multiple stab wounds about his body. There were bloodstains on the mouth and around the nostrils. His car was also reportedly found a short distance away from the body with the key still in
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the ignition and the radio on. It was during the investigation that police then nabbed one suspect who revealed that he had linked up with the other suspect while serving prison time for simple larceny of a cell phone. The confessor then noted that on the day of the incident he was picked up from the bus park and two went to a snackette located at Carmichael Street to purchase something to eat. The confessor reportedly told police that he told the other man that he was in need of a place to stay since he was homeless at the time. Subsequently, after spending some time at the snackette the two then stopped a car that Trim was driving and they both entered.
It was further explained by the confessor that he was seated behind the driver and the other man was seated behind the front passenger seat. He reportedly said that as they got to Ogle one of them grabbed the taxi driver by his neck and choked him “until he passed out.” They then pulled the deceased over to the back seat but he was still moving so one of them dealt the taxi driver several stabs about his body. Shortly after, the two removed the valuables from the man, threw out the body, and later parked the car in another spot. The murder weapon was discharged in some bushes nearby while the two subsequently escaped on foot to a minibus close to the area.
Thursday July 8, 2021
Suspected arsonist remanded articles amounting to $30M, property of Hardat Maniram. In an application for bail, Lawrence’s attorney claimed that his client was never seen in the vicinity of the fire, nor did he confess to playing any part in the fire. But the Police Persecutor said that Lawrence was indeed caught on camera in the vicinity moments before the fire ignited. Bail was denied and Lawrence was remanded to prison until July 21.
Reports are that on the day in question, just after midnight, Kevin Phillips who occupied a part of the building, with his vulcanizing shop, was awakened by his dogs. Phillips explained that he decided to take a look since he suspected something was going on. That curiosity led to him allegedly seeing two men exiting an area where the fire started. He said that as and others tried to out the fire, but it quickly spread and fire service had to be
called in. However, with the speed at which the fire was going nothing could be saved. Phillips, who operates a vulcanizing shop said that he lost everything that he had worked for in the fire. The fire also leftover 15 non-nationals and several Guyanese homeless. The fire which scorched Elegant Jewelry also saw the owner, Maniram losing millions of dollars in items stored and damage to the building.
Calvin Lawrence Two weeks after an early morning fire gutted two buildings while partially destroying another, a Leopold Street man was today slapped with three charges for setting the fire and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and was remanded to prison. The defendant, 22-yearold Calvin Lawrence of Lot 101 Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, appeared
in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan. He denied all the charges. According to the police, Lawrence on June 24, 2021, at Lot 1 George Street, Werken-Rust, unlawfully and maliciously set fire to a dwelling house valued $18M and containing articles valued at $6M, the property of Collin Bentley.
It is further alleged that on the same day, he unlawfully and maliciously set fire to a dwelling house valued at $38M, owned by Nalini Baboolall, and containing articles valued at $16M belonging to Kevin Phillips. It was also alleged that he also unlawfully and maliciously set fire to a dwelling house valued at $250M and containing
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