Three men are currently on trial before the Berbice High Court, facing charges of abduction and assault stemming from an incident in New Amsterdam in August 2022.
Anil Parvitan, 33, known as “Black Boy,” a painter of Lot 161 New Street, Cumberland; Dharamnauth Gafur, 25, also called “Dharam and Ryan,” a labourer of Lot 164 New Street, Cumberland; and Leon Balgobin, 45, referred to as “Searsman,” of Lot 18 Bristol Street, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, appeared before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall on Wednesday, each pleading not guilty to the charges read against them.
The first charge alleges that on August 17, 2022, along Garrison Road, New Amsterdam, the three men abducted 65-year-old Anarine Indranarine — known as “Zar or Zaru” — with intent to unlawfully confine him. The second charge alleges that on the same date and location, they assaulted Indranarine, causing him actual bodily harm. Following the not guilty pleas, a 12-member jury was empaneled and the trial commenced.
State prosecutor Marisa Edwards called nine witnesses, including five police officers and a medical practitioner. Taking the stand himself, Indranarine testified that Parvitan, Gafur, Balgobin and two others including a driver were inside a vehicle along Garrison Road when he was assaulted and forced into the car.
Indranarine told the court that the accused accused him of having killed a man and concealing the body, and took him to Bellevue Village, demanding he show them where the missing individual was. He testified that while at a dam at Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice, the group encountered the missing man, who confirmed that Indranarine had not harmed him. Shortly after, Indranarine said, his attackers called two vehicles, one of which he used to escape from the backdam.
He subsequently filed a report at the Central Police Station and sought medical attention at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. Parvitan, Gafur and Balgobin were thereafter informed of the allegations, cautioned, arrested and charged, and were granted bail.
The accused are being represented by Attorney-at-Law Kevin Morgan of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic. The trial is expected to continue over several days as all witnesses present their testimony.
