Imam released again on $200,000 station bail
January 27, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News
-as medical reports show seven boys molested
The 35-year-old Imam at the centre of a growing sexual abuse scandal was released on a further $200,000 station bail yesterday as medical tests confirmed that seven of his accusers were molested.
Police are expected to send a file containing the statements of the first three accusers to the Director of Public Prosecutors (DPP) today.
A source explained that because the children are in protective custody investigators are finding it challenging to get their statements in a timely manner.
The accused Imam is already on an initial $150,000 station bail. Kaieteur News understands that he is on medication for an undisclosed physical ailment.
An official said that the lads claim that they were forced into sexual acts at a mosque where they attended lessons that were taught by the alleged culprit.
According to another official, nine boys have implicated the Imam. Medical examinations showed that seven of the children were victims of sexual penetration.
The source said that one of the accusers said that he was fondled. According to this victim, he had complained to someone but was told that he “wanted to get the man in trouble.”
Child Protection officials have expressed concern about the delay in laying charges, while stating that nowhere in the new Sexual Offences Act does it state that the police have to send their file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The alleged culprit was initially arrested after rape allegations were leveled against him. There were reports that after the intervention of the DPP, the Imam was released on $150,000 station bail.
This led to DPP Shalimar Hack issuing a statement denying that she had interfered with the investigation, while noting that the police can institute charges without her advice.
The Central Islamic Organization has stated that the Imam has been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigations.
January 27, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News
-as medical reports show seven boys molested
The 35-year-old Imam at the centre of a growing sexual abuse scandal was released on a further $200,000 station bail yesterday as medical tests confirmed that seven of his accusers were molested.
Police are expected to send a file containing the statements of the first three accusers to the Director of Public Prosecutors (DPP) today.
A source explained that because the children are in protective custody investigators are finding it challenging to get their statements in a timely manner.
The accused Imam is already on an initial $150,000 station bail. Kaieteur News understands that he is on medication for an undisclosed physical ailment.
An official said that the lads claim that they were forced into sexual acts at a mosque where they attended lessons that were taught by the alleged culprit.
According to another official, nine boys have implicated the Imam. Medical examinations showed that seven of the children were victims of sexual penetration.
The source said that one of the accusers said that he was fondled. According to this victim, he had complained to someone but was told that he “wanted to get the man in trouble.”
Child Protection officials have expressed concern about the delay in laying charges, while stating that nowhere in the new Sexual Offences Act does it state that the police have to send their file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The alleged culprit was initially arrested after rape allegations were leveled against him. There were reports that after the intervention of the DPP, the Imam was released on $150,000 station bail.
This led to DPP Shalimar Hack issuing a statement denying that she had interfered with the investigation, while noting that the police can institute charges without her advice.
The Central Islamic Organization has stated that the Imam has been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigations.
Whoever is responsible should be punished to the extent of the law. However, none of this can remove the injustice meted out to these kids. 
