Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton intends to formally write the Government requesting an international probe into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, even as his party – the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) holds discussions with its coalition partners to devise a strategy to hold the authorities’ feet to the fire to ensure that justice is served.

Little Adriana was found dead in a pool at the Double Day Hotel last Thursday, one day after she went missing while visiting the hotel with her family. Three international pathologists have said that she died by drowning, but several questions surrounding her death remain.

At a press conference today, Mr. Norton accused the Irfaan Ali Administration of employing delaying tactics to drag out the investigation, and silence the demands for justice.

“To date, the Government has displayed no willingness and urgency to consent to the demands for one, an independent criminal investigation in to the events at the Double Day Hotel by international experts, and two, an international probe into the entire operations of the Guyana Police Force, including the use by the police of live rounds and deadly force during public protests. Instead, both President Ali and VP Jagdeo have been trying their utmost to divert attention, downplay the incident, and engage in deception,” the Opposition Leader said.

On Monday, President Ali told reporters that the pathologists ruled out “forced drowning”, but the family’s Lawyer Darren Wade said while drowning was given as the cause of death, the manner of death is still to be investigated, as he rejected the claim by the President.

The Vice President, however, said the circumstances surrounding the death of Adriana must be thoroughly investigated.

Norton said at a time when the nation is in grief, deeply affected by the death of the little girl, the Government is still not doing enough to ensure justice in the matter.

 “The people will not relent in our demand for impartial reputable international investigations into both the crime and the Guyana Police Force. The Terms of References for the investigations must ensure thoroughness and truthfulness. Anything less would be an affront to the memory of Adriana and an insult to her parents, loved ones, and all Guyanese,” Norton said.

He said there are many unanswered questions that only an independent probe can satisfactorily provide.

The investigation, he said, must start soonest to minimize the destruction, concealing, or contamination of evidence and the intimidating of witnesses.

Norton warned that the trauma surrounding Adriana’s death will not fade away. Her death has caught regional and international attention, with ongoing cries for justice.

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Political and Civil Society Group intensifies call for international probe ofAdriana Younge’s death Independent probe and not local police probe must be conducted into Adriana Younge’s death -Norton VP Jagdeo wants thorough investigation to determine details of Adriana Younge’s death Too many unanswered questions remain over Adriana Younge’s death -says AG Nandlall