Rickford Burke, a prominent Guyanese political activist based in New York, has been served with a court summons demanding his appearance before an East Coast Demerara magistrate next year.
Burke, who serves as the President of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) and a critic of the present government, was handed a “defendant summons” by ASP Rodwell Sarabo of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and U.S. process server Mark Wesserman at his Brooklyn residence on December 16.
Summoned to vigilance Magistrate’s court in 2024
According to an official press statement released by the GPF, Rickford Burke is required to appear in the Vigilance Magistrate’s court on March 28, 2024.
The charges brought against Burke include allegations of incitement of hostility or ill-will based on race, sedition, inciting public terror, and seditious libel.
Wanted bulletins and legal charges
This legal ordeal for Burke began when two wanted bulletins were issued for him on December 3, 2021, and September 29, 2022.
Subsequently, police officially filed charges against him on August 28, 2023.
In response, Burke has taken action by filing a complaint with the New York City Police Department.
Allegations of intrusion
Reports are that Burke made shocking claims during a Facebook livestream.
He alleged that “two men armed with firearms” had forcibly entered his residence and attempted to “push a piece of paper” into his face as he was leaving for church.
Burke claimed he witnessed ASP Rodwell Sarabo and Mark Wesserman rummaging through his mail.
He stated that no document was served to him but was later discovered on the staircase leading to his home.
Accusations of abuse of the court system
In response to these developments, Burke has openly accused the government and the Guyana Police Force of manipulating the legal system to pursue what he alleges are malicious cases against him.