President Ali and state-sponsored murders? Is it?
Dear Editor,
In October 2018, the world watched in horror at the unfolding news in which alleged that a prominent columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, 59, from Saudi Arabia was lured to his country’s embassy in Turkey, captured and killed and then dismembered. His remains were never found.
Turkish authorities, it was learnt later, had bugged the embassy and from grim recordings, the assassination played out.
For weeks, the royal family of Saudi Arabia was placed under the world’s microscope with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman accused of ordering the hit.
It was a strange position for one of the richest families and countries in the world. After all, it was one of the closest allies of the US.
The U.S. intelligence community said in a report released in February was certain that the prince played a role. "We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey, to capture or kill" Khashoggi, said the report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, according to news report.
The murder had strained US-Saudi Arabia relations with the incident bringing the spotlight on other alleged human rights abused by the oil-rich Arab nation. Khashoggi had been increasingly critical of the Saudi monarchy, angering royals with his writings. His works had been appearing in The Washington Post.
According to news reports, the U.N. had said a 15-member team of Saudi agents flew to Istanbul specifically to meet Khashoggi. The team included a forensic doctor and people who worked in the crown prince's office.
The U.S. intelligence report released was quoted as saying that seven of the team members were part of the crown prince's "elite personal protective detail." It says that group, called the Rapid Intervention Force, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him."
Eight defendants were reportedly sentenced to up to two decades in prison last year, but human rights advocates criticized the punishments as aimed at lower-level agents while sparing their leaders.
We highlight the above to bring attention to a case in Guyana which has the hallmarks of a major cover-up, not unlike Saudi Arabia, a largely Muslim country.
The problem is that Guyana does not have a monarchy. We have a Westminster-style government with elections scheduled every five years.
Unlike Saudi Arabia, which is accused of quietly targeting dissidents, arresting them and even torturing them, Guyana has a watchful populace whose voices have been increasingly strident, via social media, in recent years.
However, the killing of Ricardo ‘Paper Shorts’ Fagundes early this year has been unsettling Guyanese who believed that President Ali, the country’s first Muslim president was above the fray.
Fagundes was said to be close to convicted drug trafficker, Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan, and it appears that the killing of the businessman, an avid biker, was a case of mistaken identity.
The alleged mastermind has been said to be Azruddin Mohamed, the son of Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, a major businessman and backer of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic. Azruddin love for racing and fast cars and toys have seen him accruing quite a following.
In fact, he has been dubbed the ‘Sheik’ and ‘Lambo Man’, and have been seen in photos dressed in flowing Muslim garbs, and standing next to his beautiful supercar, one of the only kind in the country.
The businessman’s son has been said to be in a conflict with Roger Khan. The fact of the matter is the killing of Fagundes was a shocking one, designed to send a message.
It happened across State House, the official home of President Ali. It was almost taunting the country…the killers were saying…see what I can do? The fact of the matter is neither Ali or his office has seen fit to express alarm over the shocking attack with video footage showing Fagundes being shot more times while on the ground with the gunman standing over him.
The cover-up theory would be bolstered by the fact that the getaway car was driven, without any roadblocks erected, all the way to the Soesdyke/Linden highway where it was torched.
As if that is not enough, someone with enough power was able to persuade workers at a state security location to wipe footage of the Main Street shooting incident.
Fagundes had been inside Palm Court, a popular night spot, with Roger Khan, when he came out and was ambushed by persons waiting.
Throughout the so-called investigations, there were no cause for concerns by the administration over the failure by police to close the matter.
Could it have been because the principals are close to the ruling party, and have plunged hundreds of millions into campaign financing?
Who could have ordered the wiping of the recordings of incident that were captured by CCTV cameras that the state had erected around the city, including in front of Palm Court? Who had that kind of authority?
The cover-up by Saudi Arabia with the intellectual authors walking free and the shooting in front of Palm Court have many things in common, none good for Guyana.
In fact, it is deeply worrying for citizens who are fearful of the 2000 crime spree would be returning.
When you have a few who have money to spend and willing to pay left, right and center to cover up crimes, and when you have the state, whose managers are friends to these businesses, Guyana should be worried.
The problem for Irfaan Ali is that one year has not even been completed for his presidency but deep corruption and now what appears to be a state-sponsored murder is threatening.
It does not help when the main suspect (s) happens to be close to his administration.
Rajendra Persaud Jr
Azruddin Mohamed