Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond says Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, head of Guyana’s Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), should be placed on leave and step aside while an investigation into sexual assault allegations proceeds. The claims involve rape and threatening behavior, and are made by a serving female police officer.
Walrond discusses the matter publicly, including on the “Starting Point” podcast, and states that an independent investigation is underway. Kaieteur News reports that an official probe has commenced, based on allegations that include multiple incidents. INews Guyana similarly says the minister calls for leave pending independent investigation. Both outlets attribute the same core action to the minister and describe the allegation as being raised by a serving member of the Guyana Police Force.
The outlets differ mainly in phrasing—whether the focus is “placed on leave” or “step aside”—but agree on the existence of an investigation and the minister’s position on Karimbaksh’s interim status while it is conducted.
