Army ranks implicated in Essequibo Coast rape-robbery fired

Two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks who were implicated in a rape and robbery on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), have been fired.
A source close to the investigation told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that the two were fired on Tuesday.
“Because of the nature of the allegations, it was in the best interest of the GDF to let them go,” the source said.
Meanwhile, a close relative of the rape victim told this publication that she remains traumatised by the incident, which occurred last Saturday at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.
When contacted for an update on the case, Commander of G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands), Khalid Pareshram, disclosed that the two men, both of whom were attached to the Sixth Infantry Battalion, Anna Regina, are still in custody, even as legal advice is being sought.
According to the Commander, the woman who was raped is in her 20s while her boyfriend is 18.
Reports are the couple was at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, which is close to the GDF base, for an event and at about 23:30h as they were enjoying an evening together, the two ranks attacked them.
Guyana Times International was told that the soldiers dealt the young man several blows about his body, took away his money and gold chain, and demanded that his girlfriend have sex with them or else they would rape him.
At first, this demand was shut down, but the two ranks severely beat the young man. They then allegedly took turns raping the woman as she wept bitterly and asked them to stop.
The young man had no choice but to watch his girlfriend being sexually assaulted. After the ordeal, the couple reported the matter to the Police station. At the Police station, the couple was told that there were no ranks available to search the area.
Family members then took it upon themselves to look for the two perpetrators. Upon seeing the angry mob of residents, the two men escaped. The couple was taken to hospital where the young lady was admitted. The Police subsequently took statements from the two traumatised young people and an investigation was launched.
An identification parade was done on Monday afternoon at the Suddie Police Station and the two perpetrators were positively identified by the victims. This newspaper was told that while the ID parade was in progress, colleagues of the implicated ranks were heard shouting derogatory remarks towards the victims.
Guyana Times International understands that the young male victim is an acquaintance of both ranks. The GDF in a release on Monday stated that it would give the necessary support to the Guyana Police Force as investigations continue into the heinous crime.
Residents in the area said young people would usually “hang out” in the area and never expected something like this coming from workers in the respectable office. Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt recently penned a letter to this newspaper calling for urgent action to be taken by the relevant authorities to address the rape allegation.
“The entire region, known for its peace, is very much concerned about the allegations raised. The RDC further reiterates its call for all the relevant authorities and agencies to be involved in addressing these serious allegations, so that a timely, fair, and just process can be achieved,” Ramdatt said.