Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, Aubrey Norton, has hammered the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, to charge three of the crew members of the MV Barima, with murder describing it as “idiotic and utter garbage”.

The three crew members were slapped with 72 murder charges, related to the deaths that occurred when the MV Barima sank two weeks ago off the Essequibo coast.

Mr. Norton has advanced the position that the murder charge against the three crew members, could be interpreted to mean that they wilfully carried out the act.

He said the DPP’s decision is so hollow that it failed to consider that two of the crew members were on the vessel, and if it was a wilful act then it follows logic that they also wanted to kill themselves. He said no serious lawyer, would come to such a conclusion.

“Which DPP that is independent, that is supposedly a trained lawyer would charge some people with 72 counts of murder without an investigation. How did she arrive at the position that these men intend to kill 72 people, and Moreso, you know how ridiculous is it, she is also suggesting that they intend to kill themselves,” Mr. Norton said.

As a result, Mr. Norton said the APNU is rejecting the decision to charge the Captain, the Chief mate, and Goods Superintendent with murder.  He said the instituting of these charges before the Commission of Inquiry meets and decides on the causes of the disaster and before there is public accountability is deeply concerning.

“When we look at it, for a government that does everything slow, that doesn’t have system I found it interesting that you announced the COI on Sunday and under four days you were able to assemble everybody and swear them in. Did you do a background check of the persons before you swear them in or you are satisfied that you know them so well to give the outcome that you want, it is questionable,” Mr. Norton stated.

The PNC Reform Leader said workers must not face the most serious charge known to law while the policymakers and senior officials who controlled the system escaped investigation and punishment.

“Ministers Edghill and Indar must resign and allow an impartial and professional investigation. The MV Barima was not a private vessel. It was a government-owned ferry managed by the Transport and Harbours Department under the Ministry of Public Works. It is the Government that decided that the vessel remained in service even against the recommendations of the professional staff,” Norton said.

The PNC has been demanding an urgent, independent review of the appropriateness of the murder charges as well as full respect for the constitutional rights and presumption of innocence of the accused.

The party also wants the immediate disclosure and preservation of all vessel cargo and inspection records and an investigation of the entire ministerial, managerial, and regulatory chain of responsibility.

Related posts:

Attorneys for crew charged for murder in MV Barima tragedy to file action against DPP over charges DPP defends murder charges against Captain and two others in MV Barima tragedy Captain and two others slapped with 72 murder charges in MV Barima tragedy; Attorney sees effort to cloud Commission of Inquiry All crew members safe from cargo vessel that sank