Ukrainians accused of assaulting Guyanese miners remanded to prison

The two Ukrainians who allegedly assaulted and threatened two Guyanese miners were on Tuesday taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Vitaly Paraschuck, 38, whose local address was given as Lot A 173 Robin’s Place, Bel Air Park, Georgetown and Maksym Furtak, 33, who was stationed at Quartzstone, Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) where the incident occurred, denied the allegations through a translator.

The men who were represented by Attorney-at-Law Mark Waldron answered to their charges separately.
It is alleged that Paraschuck, on August 3, 2018 at Quartzstone Backdam, Cuyuni River, while employed as a coordinator and security officer by the West Bank Demerara Gold Incorporated Security Service, failed to wear his uniform prescribed by the Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while on duty.
It is also alleged that on the same day at the same location, he made use of threatening behaviour – by pointing a gun – at Charles Clarke, thereby breaching the peace.
Paraschuck also reportedly unlawfully assaulted Clarke so as to cause him actual bodily harm.
The charges against Furtak, who is a general manager of the company, stated that on August 3, 2018 at the same location, he failed to wear his uniform prescribed by the Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while on duty.
He is also being charged for allegedly making use of threatening behaviour to Rudolph Deane, thereby breaching the peace on July 28 at the said location.
Attorney Waldron, in his bail application, told Chief Magistrate McLennan that his clients did not pose a flight risk, since they have already lodged their passports with the Police.
He revealed that West Bank Demerara Gold Incorporated Security Service has taken the decision to have the men remain in Georgetown until the matter is completed.
The men are also said to be cooperating with investigators.
However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail, noting that the men had no ties to Guyana as no local address was given for one of the defendants as well as contrary to the claims of their attorney, their passports have not been lodged with the Police and as such, they pose a flight risk.
Prosecutor Mansfield also informed the Court that the men were supernumerary constables (a supernumerary is a fully sworn officer who has the same powers as other officers, but does not hold a full-time position or is licensed to carry a firearm).
Both men were remanded to prison. The case will continue on August 23 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.