Under mounting pressure, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) today said that Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh has been sent on leave following allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him.
The announcement came weeks after the complaint was first made known to the Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond and the GPF and follows an outpouring of outrage from civil society.
The police in a press release today said that Karimbaksh, Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit has been sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him.
Following receipt of the report, the release said that Commissioner of Police, Dr. Clifton Hicken, established a team to “conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations”.
Additionally, the female Police Inspector who made the report has been transferred to Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’.
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to assure the public that the allegations are being treated with the seriousness they warrant and that the investigation will be conducted professionally, impartially and in accordance with established procedures”, the release said.
The Force said it remains committed to ensuring that “due process is afforded to all parties involved”.
The GPF did not name the investigating team.
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