The four Venezuelans and three Guyanese arrested in relation to the bombing at the Mobil Gas Station on Regent Street on October 26 appeared in Court this morning to face the terrorism and other charges.
The bomb attack claimed the life of 6-year-old Soraya Bourne, and left a number of her relatives and other persons injured.
The seven accused arrived at the Courthouse in handcuffs and under heavy Police security this morning.
In the Courtroom of Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, the terrorism charge was first read to the prime suspect, 33-year-old Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Podeomo. He is accused of placing an explosive device at the gas station, which resulted in death and threatening the sovereignty of Guyana with terror. He was remanded to prison.
Three of his co-accused, 44-year-old Alexander Bettencourt and 27-year-old Johnny Boodram, who are both Venezuelans and 33-year-old Guyanese and Venezuelan national, Krystal LaCruz, faced the charge of aiding and abetting the prime suspect with the commission of terrorist act.
They were not required to enter a plea and were all remanded to prison until the 12th November, when the matter will continue.
Only one of the accused, taxi driver Johnny Boodram, was represented by an Attorney. The Attorney, Mikel Puran, told the Court that his client, Johnny Boodram, is a taxi driver who works out of a taxi base in Region 3. The Attorney said, as a taxi driver, his client usually provides transportation services to co-accused Krystal LaCruz, who operates a bar in Region 3. The Attorney said his client knows none of the other suspects and is wrongfully accused.
The other three accused, 44 year-old Guyanese nationals Wayne Corriea and 51-year-old Ramesh Pramdeo and 33-year-old Venezuelan, Jennifer Rodriguez appeared via zoom from the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before the Leonora Magistrates’ Court.
They were also charged for aiding and abetting in relation to the act of terror at the gas station. The two Guyanese men, Wayne Correia and Ramesh Pramdeo were represented by Attorney Bernard DaSilva.
Like the other four accused, the three who appeared via zoom before Magistrate Alisha George at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court, were also remanded to prison. Their next Court date is November 24.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Guyana Police Force said the terrorism charges were filed on the completion of comprehensive investigations into the explosion at the Mobil Regent Street Gas Station. Legal Advice was provided by both the Police Legal Advisor and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Police Force has assured that the investigation was conducted with professionalism, integrity and strict adherence to due process.
“The Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens and ensuring peace and public safety across the nation,” the statement read.
The deadly bombing incident shocked the country, forcing the security forces to step up their monitoring of foreign nationals, especially Venezuelans. A motive for the attack has not been disclosed. But the Police indicated that the Venezuelan suspects appear to be linked to the R Syndicato gang. It is one of the same gangs that has been attacking miners and others in the bordering areas with Venezuela.
During the investigations, which was led by the Guyana Police Force, the investigators received support from security agencies outside of Guyana.
The prime suspect, Venezuelan national, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Podeomo, was captured on camera planting two bags with the suspected explosive device near to cooking gas cylinders at the gas station, after he was earlier blocked from placing the bags in a garbage receptacle near the fuel pumps.
The man was arrested two days later in the East Bank Essequibo village of Vergenoegen after the Police were able to circulate photographs of him. At the time of his arrest, the other suspects were already in custody. It is suspected that they assisted the man in surveillance and with transportation to the gas station where he planted the bomb.
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