FACT SHEET OF THE DEADLY PIRACY ATTACKS WHICH TOOK PLACE BETWEEN APRIL 27, 2018 AND MAY 3, 2018 IN SURINAMESE WATER
DPI, GUYANA, Monday, June 25, 2018
ATTACKS: The two attacks took place between 18:30hrs on April 27 and 01:00hrs on April 28 at an area called Double High Bush on the Atlantic Ocean in Suriname waters against four Suriname-registered fishing vessels reportedly carrying 20 crew members, mainly Guyanese.
FIRST BOAT: The Romeina captained by 47-year-old Deonarine Goberdan, called ‘Patar’ was attacked around 18:30 hours on April 27.
SURVIVOR ON FIRST BOAT: Captain Deonarine Goberdan was rescued on April 28 at 14:00hrs.
VICTIMS IDENTIFIED: The bodies of two members of the Romeina washed ashore and were positively identified as those of Tillacknauth Mohabir called ‘Caiman’, 51 years and Mahesh Sarjoo called ‘Vishal’ reportedly on May 4.
SECOND BOAT: The Joshua owned by Rosey Jones was found submerged in water allegedly sunk by the pirates. The captain of the vessel “Aki Bai” was the lone survivor.
VICTIMS ON THE SECOND BOAT: Lalta Persaud called “Sunil and Pudduck”, 43 years, “Spanish Man”, “Bandara” and “Mukesh”.
THIRD BOAT: Name unknown, Captained by Dharmendrew Persaud, the lone survivor, who was rescued on April 28 in the early morning hours.
VICTIMS ON THE THIRD BOAT: Ramesh Sanchara called “Ravo”, Ramnarine Singh 49 years, Looknarine Persaud called “Kleine” and Rajendra Bissessar.
FOURTH BOAT: The last boat believed to be attacked at about 01:00hrs on April 28 is known as Shifanie owned by Hemnlall Ramsarran.
VICTIMS ON THE FOURTH BOAT: Captain, Danesh Persaud called ‘Vicky’, 27 years of Sheet Anchor, East Canje and crew members Ralph Anthony Couchman called “Burnham” 22 years, Glendroy Jones called ‘Alkaline’ and ‘Joshua’ 20 years, Gowkaran Outar called “Gavin” and “Longhair” 33, whose body was found washed up at the Number 63 beach on May 10.
SURVIVOR ON THE FOURTH BOAT: 35-year-old, Sherwin Lovell, rescued on May 3, time unknown.
MISSING / FEARED DEAD: The twelve fishermen who are still missing are: Vickey Persaud, Ramesh Sanchara, Glenroy Jones, Tikaknauth Mohabir, Bobby Ibrahim, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony Couchman, Rajkumar Bissesar, Sunil called “Paddock” and Olenski Maxwell.
SURVIVORS TALE: Survivors recounted that they were assaulted with machetes, hot oil poured on them and forced to jump into the sea by assailants suspected to be of Guyanese heritage. Some of the survivors said several victims had batteries tied to their legs and thrown overboard.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: On May 3, President David Granger announced that Government will provide necessary support and resources to bring perpetrators to justice and announced that a Day of Mourning would be observed.
MEETING WITH FAMILIES: On May 6, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan met with relatives and survivors of the missing fishermen at the Guyana embassy in Henk Arronstraat, Paramaribo, Suriname and Surinamese security officials.
MEDIA UPDATE: On May 9, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan held a press conference. The minister explained during his visit to Suriname, he along with his team also met the Surinamese Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence, Minister of Agriculture, the Police Commissioner and the Chief Detective who is in charge of the investigations. This meeting yielded vital information regarding the incident.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN GUYANA: On May 30, alleged assailant behind the attacks 39-year-old, Nakool Manohar called “Fyah” appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh and was remanded.
On June 6, 19-year-old Alexander Denhart called “Shameface” appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with the murder of fisherman Tilacknauth Mohabir called “Caiman”.
MORE CHARGES: On June 13, the alleged mastermind, 43-year-old Primnauth Persaud, called “Sinbad” of Cromarty Village, and his co-accused Nakool Manohar (‘Fyah’), popularly known as “Fyah” of Number 43 Village, were charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing fishermen Mahesh Sarjoo and Tillacknauth Mohabir during the piracy attack.
PROCLAMATION: On Friday, June 23, the President issued a proclamation that Monday, June 25 be observed as a National Day of Mourning for the fishermen who lost their lives in the dreaded attacks.
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING: The National Flag is being flown at half-staff to show solidarity with the families of those killed in the gruesome acts and to pay due respect to the memory of the victims. A minute of silence is observed in the National Assembly in solidarity for the victims and their grieving families.