Deputy Police Commissioner Fizal Karimbaksh, who is accused of raping a female police officer, is refusing to go on administrative or pre-retirement leave pending the outcome of a probe because there is no Police Service Commission (PSC) to order him to do so.
“I further dispute your authority to place my client on compulsory administrative leave. On the legal basis presently disclosed, you have no lawful authority to impose such leave upon my client. No applicable statutory power or operative written delegation authorising that course has been identified or furnished,” lawyer Rizwaun Mohamed said in a letter dated October 10 in response to Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken’s letter to Mr Karimbaksh dated October 7.
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“You are hereby placed on unequivocal notice that, should you seek to compel my client to proceed on pre-retirement or administrative leave without lawful authority, I am instructed to institute legal proceedings without further notice, seeking urgent interim relief where necessary, together with all other appropriate relief and costs,” the lawyer also said.
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The Guyana Police Force on on October 8 said Mr Karimbaksh was sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him. Additionally, the female police inspector, who made the report, has been transferred from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’’, the force said last week.
But the lawyer strenuously objected to the Police Commissioner “compelling” Mr Karimbaksh to proceed on pre-retirement leave and that he was eligible for 174 days of annualised vacation leave before retirement which should start on November 8, 2026. “For the avoidance of doubt, my client does not consent to compulsory pre-retirement leave on the basis presently advanced. He remains ready and available to discharge his duties and comply with lawful directions. His position must not be construed as acquiescence in an enforced absence, acceptance of the disputed leave calculation, or waiver of any right,” the lawyer said. Deputy Police Commissioner Karimbaksh is also disputing the duration of the annualised leave that he is entitled, saying that it is actually 118 days rather than 174. “The calculation and consequent commencement date are therefore expressly disputed,” the lawyer said on behalf of his client. He also told the Police Commissioner that including November 8, 2026 in his letter does not amount to an agreement to that date or “establish authority to compel the proposed leave.
At the heart of Mr Karimbaksh’s refusal to obey Mr Hicken’s instruction to proceed on leave is his ground that the Police Commissioner is responsible under the Police Act for command and superintendence of the police force while the Guyana Constitution vests disciplinary control over Deputy Police Commissioners to the Police Service Commission and delegation of directions in writing. The lawyer says not because the PSC is not constituted the Police Commissioner or anyone else takes over those functions.
“A general reliance upon command authority does not resolve the distinct question of the legal basis for compelling my client’s absence” and “any such vacancy does not, of itself, transfer its powers to you or another authority,” he said.
Alissa Trotz
DPP receives file for advice on incident involving Opposition Leader outside home of Speacial Branch Head - News Source Guyana
# DPP receives file for advice on incident involving Opposition Leader outside home of Speacial Branch Head
By News Source Guyana on October 15, 2026
The Guyana Police Force has forwarded a file on the Opposition Leader’s arrest along with two of his workers and the allegations leveled against them to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.
The DPP’s Office confirmed receipt of the file, but indicated that it is being addressed. No other details were provided today when the office was contacted by News Source.
Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed and two of his workers remain in Police custody over the Monday night incident which occurred outside the home of the Head of the Special Branch Unit, Senior Superintendent of Police, Prem Narine.
The Police arrested Mohamed and his workers on allegations of illegal possession of a firearm and unlawfully discharging a firearm. Mohamed through his Attorney has denied the allegations.
Mohamed and his two workers were in a black Toyota motor car late on Monday night when they reportedly drover pass the home of the Special Branch Head in an effort to document the number of Police Officers stationed outside the home.
The Special Branch Head told investigators that he opened fire on the car after hearing a sound that was similar to that of a gunshot.
The car with the Opposition Leader and his two workers was intercepted and the three men were taken into custody. A number of bullet holes could be seen on the car.
Mohamed has denied that anyone in the car fired any weapon. He has also claimed that the weapon that the Police stated was found in the car was planted there by the Police.
The investigations are ongoing.
209 rape cases in 2025, 85 by mid-2026, spur Minister's call for strong action - Ignite News
209 rape cases in 2025, 85 by mid-2026, spur Minister’s call for strong action
September 10, 2026 3 min
Guyana recorded 209 rape cases in 2025 and 85 in the first half of 2026, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud disclosed on Wednesday, calling for greater accountability, faster responses and closer collaboration among agencies handling child sexual abuse and rape cases.
Minister Persaud made the call while delivering keynote remarks at the opening of a Child Sexual Abuse Workshop, hosted by the Ministry’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SO&DVPU) at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre. The workshop brought together police officers, medical practitioners, child protection and probation officers, lawyers, school counsellors and other professionals involved in responding to cases of sexual violence.
“Child sexual abuse is a crime. It has always been a crime,” Minister Persaud said, noting that while Guyana has recorded progress, sexual violence remains a serious concern.
“It is my fervent wish that we continue to see not only the reduction, but the complete eradication of rape cases in Guyana,” she added.
The Minister said more must be done to strengthen every stage of the response process, particularly reporting, investigations, medical examinations, evidence collection and prosecution.
“We have to fix the weak links in the chain. And I say it unapologetically because we cannot be good unless everybody is doing their job to the best of their abilities,” she said.
Minister Persaud called for rape kits to be readily available in every region, more medical personnel trained to conduct examinations, and case reports completed clearly and promptly. “There should be no delay in dealing with child matters when it relates to abuse. None,” she stressed.
She also pointed to the strengthening of support systems, including Child Advocacy Centres in every region, the 24-hour 914 hotline, the iMatter app and Hope and Justice Centres, which provide survivors access to several services.
Persaud urged workshop participants to identify gaps, strengthen communication and improve the collective response to sexual violence. “We can have the best legislation and the best policy, but if we do not have that collective, collaborative, robust approach to cases of child sexual abuse, we will continue to see the numbers climb,” she said.
She added that the ultimate objective remains to eradicate child sexual abuse and rape, and create safer environments where victims can confidently access protection, support and justice.
Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud