Orlando Charles freed of TIP charges; Court cites lack of evidence

The Bartica Magistrate’s Court, on Thursday, March 14, acquitted Orlando Charles, a businessman and pilot, of all charges related to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) brought against him by the Guyana Police Force.

Charles was initially charged with 16 counts of Trafficking in Persons on May 31, 2023. He was represented by attorney Sanjeev Datadin who requested a no case submission. When the case was called on Thursday, the no case submission was upheld due to lack of evidence.

Expressing his confidence in the judicial system, Charles in a statement commended the court for its fair decision.

Despite the court ruling, Charles lamented that the case “has brought irreparable harm to both his reputation and business ventures here in Guyana and internationally.”

He cited the public embarrassment to him and his family and due to this “he is considering all legal options going forward.”

Meanwhile, Datadin told the News Room, that a dispute stemmed from payment disagreements with Venezuelan workers hired by Charles for the construction of an airstrip in Guyana’s interior.

Datadin said the workers were never held against their will and were not brought into Guyana by his client.