Civil society groups demand independent probe into Karimbaksh allegations

(Kaieteur News) – A coalition of civil society organisations and individuals has renewed calls for an independent investigation into allegations of sexual violence and threats at gunpoint against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh, warning that the reported reversal of an order sending him on pre-retirement leave raises serious questions about accountability and the rule of law in Guyana.

In a letter to the editor issued following reports that Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken rescinded his directive for Karimbaksh to proceed on leave, the coalition said that, if confirmed, the development points to a “broken system of accountability and rule of law” within the country, particularly the Guyana Police Force. Kaieteur News reported on October 14 that Hicken had withdrawn his earlier order after Karimbaksh, through his attorney, Rizwaun Mohamed, challenged the legal basis for compelling him to proceed on leave and threatened legal action against the Force.

Full coverageOpposition Groups Demand Probe Into Allegations Against Deputy Commissioner Karimbaksh41 reports

The civil society coalition said it had previously questioned why the deputy commissioner appeared to be receiving special treatment despite the serious allegations against him. “The Sexual Offences Act (SOA) lays out clear processes to be followed in sexual offences cases, including paper committals and the exchange of all statements by both prosecution and defence lawyers,” the letter noted.