Foreign nationals to be charged with abusing Guyanese miners

Police headquarters has been legally advised to charge two foreign nationals, who were caught on video attacking and abusing two Guyanese gold miners on July 28 and August 3, 2018.

A statement from the Guyana Police Force on Monday noted that the two nationals are actually from Ukraine but speak Russian.

It was initially reported that the men were Russians.  

Police said that 38-year-old Vitaly Paraschuck will be charged with two counts of Threatening Behavior and Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm committed on Charles Clarke; 33-year-old Maksym Furtak will be charged with Threatening Behavior committed on Rudolph Deane.

It was further noted that the Ukrainians and Charles Clarke will be charged separately with contravention of the Private Security Services Act of 2009 for failure to wear their prescribed uniforms.

They are all expected to appear before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Following the release of the video, a Police team travelled Quart Stone, Cuyuni in Region Seven where the incident is said to have occurred.

Police had revealed that the nationals are employed by West Bank Demerara Gold Inc., which is licensed to operate in Guyana and are sworn Supernumerary Constables and authorized to carry firearms.

The Ministry of Natural Resources had ordered an immediate probe into the incident.

According to the Ministry, the video clearly shows the foreign national “behaving in an aggressive, hostile and condescending manner” towards the Guyanese.