EFL - I did some extra checking on this one about the ruling Party, the PPP. It looks to be a socialist party and therefore can’t possibly have death squads because as everyone knows in South America all death squads are right-wing.
A cattle farmer who prompted an inquiry into an alleged government hit squad in Guyana was assassinated Thursday, a day after an investigating judge reported death threats and quit a related case. George Bacchus, 51, was sleeping when at least one gunman burst into his bedroom and shot him, said Deputy Police Chief Henry Green. Derrick Prince said he rushed to his uncle’s bedroom after he heard shots but did not see the attacker. Four people were detained in connection with the killing, Police Chief Winston Felix said. He gave no further information. Bacchus went on national television earlier this year alleging that a government-sponsored hit squad had been formed to hunt down criminals, and that his brother was killed in a drive-by shooting meant for him.
| Got the right guy this time, huh? |
The government agreed to an inquiry but disagreements over the choice in panel members has stalled progress. Bacchus was due to testify this week against two men charged with killing his brother, Shafeek Bacchus, 48, on Jan. 5. Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen on Wednesday quit the case involving city undertaker Ashton King, 51 and market vendor Sean Hinds, 37, saying she had received death threats. A third suspect died in custody earlier this year amid suspicious circumstances.
"Cut him down, Sergeant, and start an investigation!"
"Yes, sir. Uhhh... He's not dead yet."
"Right, then. We'll go to lunch. Then you can cut him down and start an investigation." |
The government is searching for another magistrate to take the case. In going public with his story, Bacchus admitted to working with the squad as an informer. He said he had left after most of the country’s wanted men were killed, and because the squad had carried out other killings on behalf of government officials and business owners.
"The bad guys are all dead. I'm retiring from the Organization."
"You can't retire, Bacchus."
"Oh. Right. Ummm... A vacation, then?" |
He said the hit squad was sponsored by Interior Minister Ronald Gajraj. The government and Gajraj deny that, although U.S. and Canadian officials have revoked visas for Gajraj. Opposition groups and other organizations have accused the hit squad of carrying out at least 40 extrajudicial killings in the last two years. The main opposition People’s National Congress on Thursday blamed the government for Bacchus’ killing. "The PNC has no doubt that the execution of Bacchus was a deliberate attempt to silence him, and to protect those who have been implicated in the death squad operations," the party said in a statement. The governing People’s Progressive Party denied the allegations. "The PPP condemns the killing of Mr. Bacchus and calls for an immediate police investigation into his death," it said in a statement. Presidential spokesman Robert Persaud said the killing was a police matter, and that it was not discussed at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.
Here is a past Press Release from the PPP that kind of gives you a take on their politics
Presidential spokesman Robert Persaud said the killing was a police matter, and that it was not discussed at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting. Many of the squad’s members were allegedly police officers.
So technically, the killing was a "police matter." |