The lawyers of Raymond David, a Guyanese citizen who is in Surinamese custody, are alleging that he was unlawfully taken from Guyana and plan to sue the State and other stakeholders.
However, an official of the Guyana Police Force has told the News Room that Mr. David waived his extradition rights, as it is a lengthy process, and opted to willingly go to Suriname to clear his name. The Police official said such actions have taken place before.
Mr David’s attorney, Dexter Todd, Thursday hosted a press conference to address the case, claiming that there was an unauthorised cross-border operation that resulted in Mr. David being taken from Guyana by Surinamese authorities.
It is alleged that Mr. David was removed from Guyana without the requisite extradition procedures being followed. The lawyer pointed out that foreign Police Officers cannot enter Guyana and lawfully arrest a citizen here without certain permissions or in adherence to local laws.
“This operation in relation to the movement of a Guyanese citizen from Guyana to Suriname was without the protection of the law and therefore, the instructions received are that we pursue, with all remedies, this unlawful removal of a Guyanese citizen from Guyana to another country,” Todd stated.
The lawyer also told reporters that Mr. David was detained as part of investigations into a murder case but the legal team has not found any evidence of this case or his client’s alleged involvement in the case.
What is known is that about a decade ago, Mr. David was a person of interest in a narcotics trafficking case, and Mr. Todd said it is believed that the Surinamese authorities may have some additional questions for him now. If that is the case, the lawyer emphasised that the proper protocols should have been followed.
Attorney Dexter Smartt, who is part of Mr. David’s legal team, said several legal remedies will be sought. Among other things, the team will be asking for a declaration that the man’s arrest, detention, and removal from Guyana were all unlawful and his fundamental rights were violated.
The team will also be seeking an order compelling the Guyanese Government to pursue all diplomatic channels to ensure that Mr. David is safely and swiftly returned to Guyana. Compensation for what has unfolded will also be sought.
Mr. David remains in Surinamese custody. His lawyers said they will be pursuing the various measures for legal recourse at the earliest opportunity.
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