Guyana AG Defends Public Inquiry into MV Barima

Guyana’s Attorney General Anil Nandlall is defending both the Commission Of Inquiry into the MV Barima disaster and the decision to charge three men with murder.

This week, Nandlal said the decision to charge the men was made by the Director Of Public Prosecutions after reviewing the evidence submitted by investigators.

He also rejected criticism that the Commission of Inquiry should have been allowed to complete its work before criminal charges were filed.

Nandlall explained that the commission was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster and make recommendations, but it does not determine criminal guilt or civil liability.

Those responsibilities he said, remain with the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the courts.

The Commission of Inquiry was appointed following the july 18th sinking of the MV Barima, which left 72 people dead and more than 30 others missing and presumed dead.