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Tortured teen back home
PART of the Kaieteur News' front page showing the teenager with his mother Shirley Thomas after leaving hospital.
Published on: 11/15/2009.
GEORGETOWN -Two weeks after he was admitted to the Georgetown Hospital, the teen whose genitals were set alight by policemen during an interrogation was discharged on Friday into the custody of his parents.
Limping, the boy emerged into the hospital compound just after noon, accompanied by his mother Shirley Thomas and stepfather Doodnauth Jaikarran.
As they stood speaking to the media, onlookers flocked around when they realised that it was the tortured teen. They were surprised that he was released, given the severity of his injuries.
Notably absent was the police rank who had been guarding the lad since his arrival at the hospital, where he was transferred days after he was allegedly burnt and beaten while in custody.
The teen was among several people from the Canal Number Two area who were arrested for questioning into the murder of retired Region Three vice-chairman Ramenaught Bisram.
Two other suspects who were held have also alleged that they were beaten by the police.
Thomas told Stabroek News that on Thursday she went to the Burn Care Unit, where her son was being treated, and a nurse indicated that the boy would be discharged the following day.
She said she was happy to hear the news but was also concerned about how the teen would get the treatment he needed to ensure his wounds healed. She was told by the nurse that he had to return to the hospital November 26 for a check-up.
Up to the time her son was discharged, a policeman was posted at the Burn Care Unit.
"He is not fully recovered and now that he is home, I got to find the ointment to put on he burns," the woman said, adding:"Sometime when he lie down, he does feel like he flesh stretching."
She appealed for assistance to get the medical supplies for her son.
The teen told reporters that during his incarceration policemen wrote a statement and asked him to sign. However, he explained that he could not read or write and was unaware of what the statement said.
According to him, the ranks did not read the statement to him before he was told to sign it.
The teen, with a sad expression on his face, said he was clueless as to why the ranks targeted him for the murder of Bisram.
He explained that he knew the man and would occasionally visit hishome to "gaff" [share jokes] with him.
However, he maintained that he was at home the night the incident occurred and when the discovery was made.
"They [the ranks] have no respect for people. They really wanted to hurt me because I keep tellin' dem that I ain't know nothing and I ain't do nothing and they still continue beating me. And then after they beat me they do this,"he said.
The case has sparked countrywide outrage and condemnation and there have been calls for an independent inquiry as well as for immediate action to be taken against the ranks who have been implicated.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene said days after the incident was exposed that the culprits had not yet been identified by the teen and the investigators were working on that aspect of the case before bringing charges.
Two policemen, Sergeant Narine Lall and Constable Mohanram Dolai, have been charged with wounding Deonarine Rafick and Nouravie Wilfred, two men who were held along with the boy. There were no charges in relation to the injuries the teen sustained.
The policemen were released on bail after an application to the High Court.
From all accounts, the teen was tortured by ranks at the Leonora Police Station in an effort to get him to confess to the murder.
The lad told his mother that while in custody at the station three ranks beat him while a fourth interrogated him. A black bag was placed over his head before he was burnt.
The Kaieteur News published a graphic photo of the burns. It is not clear who had taken the picture and under what circumstances, but it was taken in the police station. (Stabroek News)
13 comment found!
: 11/22/2009
When is this foolishness going to stop. I would like to lightthose policemen and thier sons genitals on fire. Please help this mother and son.
POLICE BRUTALITY : 11/22/2009
I CAN´T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE REALLY DON´T KNOW THAT THIS TYPE OF BRUTALITY EXIST IN BARBADOS.YOU ALL BETTER WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.THERE ARE YOUNG KIDS BEING ABUSED BY THE POLICE EVERYDAY IN BARBADOS.
: 11/19/2009
Regardless of whether he can read or write, the acts committed against this young boy are beyond belief, I sincerely hope that those responsible are punished, however, I doubt this very much.
I hope that the young man recovers fully and that a lawyer will take on the case for the family out of the goodness of their heart, should the family be unable to seek legal represenation.
: 11/18/2009
I doubt whether this poor woman has the resources to sue the beings that did this to her son, I wont refer to them as animals since animals would neer stoop so slow to commit such an act. Having reached the conclusion that she nor her son will receive any justice I call upon the people in her community to rise up and expose this. Call up the foreign media and cast the spotlight on Guyana. It is absolutely heartbreaking to learn that this boy is illiterate. If the boy is guilty let justice be served but there is no need to resort to these gruesome acts. What is happening in that place.
Speechless? : 11/18/2009
I can't understand how this barbaric behavior went on towards this poor boy! All of those involved need to have their genitals set on fire! The other issue here which is disturbing is the fact he's a teenager and can't read or write??
Huh? : 11/17/2009
Somebody must have made this up. No way this could be real. WTH?!
The police SET HIS GENITALS ON FIRE?!!! After forcing him to sign a confession he COULD NOT READ?! And then the newspaper PUBLISHED THE PHOTOS OF HIS BURNS?!!? How many things really wrong with this whole situation??? OMG This is a CHILD!!
ABUSIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT : 11/17/2009
There are two deadly wrong situations at play in this issue….An uneducated young man; and a Police force that acted above the law. It is not only so sad, but such a shame, that in this day and time our young people can be so uneducated. Here is a young man signing a statement without being able to read what he is signing…actually signing away his rights and his life without knowing it…Did he sign his name or did he write an “X”. Then again, being beaten so severely what does it matters. Police Officers are meant to up-hold the law and to protect citizens according to the law, but too often these officers abuse the laws at the painful and sometimes deadly expense of citizens. Clearly there needs to be a balance between capturing alleged criminals yet protecting the human rights of innocent citizens. This was just a bunch of malicious, inhumane, criminals hiding behind the police uniform. To torture this young man the way they did is a sure way of telling the public that there is a very high level of accepted corruption and unfairness in the current laws. This should not be. These officers need to be made accountable for their wrong doings and therefore a thorough investigation and reprimand should be forthcoming. In situation like these, such unfair inhumane situations, I tend to believe in an eye for an eye.
Alleged Police brutality : 11/17/2009
If he burn so badly these people at the hospital send him home ?You mean to tell me that they do not know that he can catch an infection? It leaves me to wonder if them working in co with the police or they cannot say no that they do not want him there. I wonder if they want him home to finish him off. This is sad how ever you look at it .
Outrage : 11/17/2009
What cruel and inhumane treatment! When those responsible for such a henious crime are apprehended, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Bajan overseas.
: 11/17/2009
these heartless beings who recruited them into the force???? they should have their testes burnt a taste of their own medicine
: 11/15/2009
That's a big boy and can't read or write. Boy something is wrong. I feal bad for the kid.The policemen should be shame to do something like that to the kid.No wounder they all want to come to Barbados.
Torture and human rights : 11/15/2009
If it can be proven that the lad was tortured so viciously whilst in Police custody, then the Government of Guyana should carry out a full investigation of this serious breach of human rights , and take steps not only to punish those involved and ensure that it never happens again, but also to adequately compensate the victim. I sincerely hope that the lack of responses here on this forum is not a sign of indifference because the incident has occurred in Guyana.
: 11/15/2009
I wish him a speedy recovery and hope those responsible are punished accordinly.
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