Guyanese Fisherman Charged In Connection With Fatal Piracy Attack

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, June 1, 2018 (CMC) – A Guyanese fisherman will return to court, here, on June 13, after he was remanded into custody, following his court appearance on a charge of murder, arising out of the fatal piracy attack that left at least 20 fishermen dead, off the coast of Suriname, last month.

Nakool “Fyah” Manohar appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, yesterday, charged under the country’s Anti-Piracy Act that allows for the prosecution of anyone accused of committing such offences in other countries.

He has been charged with the murder of Tiliknauth “Caiman” Mohabir, one of the 20 fishermen, who were attacked by pirates, between April 26 and May 3, this year.

The pirates are reported to have burned the fishermen with hot oil, attacked them with machetes and forced them overboard, tied to anchors in the Atlantic Ocean.

The assault on the four fishing boats was described by Guyana’s President, David Granger, as “a great massacre, a great tragedy”.

Piracy has long been an issue in the waters, off Suriname and Guyana, although the number of incidents reported has reduced in recent years.

Manohar was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge.

Law enforcement authorities, here and in Suriname, have detained several people for questioning in relation to the piracy attack.