WALROND REJECTS RED THREAD CRITICISM, DENIES ORDERING CONFRONTATION IN KARIMBAKSH PROBE

Staff Writer

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond has rejected criticism from women’s rights organization Red Thread over her remarks concerning the investigation into serious allegations against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, saying her comments were mischaracterized.

In a statement issued Sunday, Walrond said she did not instruct investigators to have the complainant confront Karimbaksh and had not directed police to undertake any procedure contrary to Guyana’s Sexual Offences Act.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I did not say that the complainant would be confronted by the accused. I did not mandate such a confrontation,” Walrond stated.

Her clarification follows controversy over comments she made during a discussion of the investigative process on the *Starting Point* podcast. Earlier reporting of those remarks quoted Walrond as saying the investigation would involve taking statements from relevant persons, including Karimbaksh, followed by what she described as a “formal confrontation.”

Red Thread subsequently criticized the prospect of a confrontation between the complainant and Karimbaksh. Karen De Souza of Red Thread said the organization was “appalled” that such a procedure had been raised and called for protections for the complainant.

Walrond, however, said Sunday that she was communicating information provided to her about the investigative process rather than directing how investigators should conduct the probe.

“The conduct of a criminal investigation is a matter for investigators, operating within the parameters of the law,” she said. “I neither design nor direct the day-to-day investigative procedures of the Guyana Police Force.”

The minister also accused Red Thread of selective advocacy, arguing that the organization had transformed her remarks into an alleged instruction to violate the complainant’s rights. She maintained that advocacy organizations are entitled to criticize government officials but should base that criticism on what was actually said.

Walrond also pointed to her previously stated position that Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway. That position was publicly reported last week.

The minister said both the legal protections afforded to the complainant and Karimbaksh’s right to due process must be respected throughout the investigation.

“This is a serious criminal allegation involving a senior member of the Guyana Police Force. It deserves a serious investigation,” Walrond said, adding that the investigation should be “professional, impartial and thorough.”

Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organized Crime Unit, is facing allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made by a serving female police inspector. The Guyana Police Force has established a team to investigate the allegations. The claims have not been proven in court, and Karimbaksh is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

The dispute over Walrond’s remarks has now added another layer of public scrutiny to the investigation, particularly regarding how the complainant will be treated and whether the procedures employed by investigators comply with the protections established under Guyana’s Sexual Offences Act.