Political parties, women’s group condemn ‘Douglas’ death in police custody

(Kaieteur News) – Two political parties and a group of women under the Red Thread organisation have condemned the death of 32-year-old labourer Gavin Kennard Douglas, who died after being detained at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, with calls mounting for an independent investigation and swift prosecution of those responsible.

The Alliance For Change (AFC), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) and five women associated with Red Thread have separately criticised the circumstances surrounding Douglas’ death, describing the incident as a grave violation of citizens’ rights and demanding accountability from the authorities. The calls for justice come amid growing public concern following a post-mortem examination which found that Douglas died from a brain haemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma to the head. Two Taser probes were also reportedly removed from his body, while relatives who witnessed the examination said his intestines were ruptured and that he had sustained other severe injuries.

Full coverageGavin Douglas Dies in Police Custody at Vreed-en-Hoop Station14 reports

Douglas was reportedly detained by police ranks and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station. In an earlier statement, the Guyana Police Force said he became aggressive, was restrained and was subsequently found frothing at the mouth in the station’s lockups. However, the post-mortem findings and accounts from his relatives have intensified questions about the police’s handling of the detainee and the circumstances leading to his death.