The US embassy is taking seriously the
allegations made by George Bacchus in his statements
to US regional law enforcement officers who were
present in Guyana at the time.
However, Ambassador Roland
Bullen told Stabroek News that the information given
by Bacchus was still being evaluated, and when this
had been completed, it would be raised with the
appropriate authorities. The US envoy said that the
allegations made were being taken seriously, as
Bacchus had said that he had been associated with a
gang which was responsible for a number of dead
bodies turning up around the city, about which the
embassy was aware and concerned.
He also said that the embassy
had not administered a lie detector test to Bacchus
which Stabroek News had incorrectly reported had
been done, in addition to saying that he had passed
it. The Stabroek News report was based on sources
which in the past have been well informed and
reliable.
Bacchus' brother Shafeek, was gunned down outside
his Princes Street, Lodge residence on January 5, by
men who he claimed were members of a death squad,
for which he had provided intelligence about
criminals. He alleged the gang had been formed with
the knowledge and involvement of Home Affairs
Minister, Ronald Gajraj.
The police have since charged Ashton King, Shawn
Hinds and Mark Thomas with Shafeek Bacchus' murder.
However, the government has said that it cannot
mount an investigation into Gajraj's alleged
involvement with the squad until Bacchus has made a
formal statement to the police.
Police Commissioner (ag) Floyd McDonald has since
written to Bacchus' lawyer seeking his assistance in
getting Bacchus to make a formal statement.
