Third Presidential Guard witness testifying in treason case
Guyana Chronicle
October 11, 2002
ANOTHER member of the Presidential Guard began his testimony yesterday when the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the treason charge against political activist Mark Benschop resumed before Magistrate Chandra Sohan.
Constable Ramesh Itwaru, who was sworn after Constable Surendra Hanceram finished his evidence, was still being cross-examined by Defence Counsel Mortimer Coddette when Court adjourned to Monday, October 14.
Itwaru, the third policeman from the same unit to be called by Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin, is the fifth witness to testify since the pre-trial proceedings began.
Itwaru spent about 20 minutes under oath after the cross-examination of Hanceram was completed by other attorney- at- law Mr. Basil Williams, who is leading the Defence team.
Benschop, who remains a remanded prisoner, is facing the joint charge for the capital offence with Phillip Bynoe, a veteran politician for whom an arrest warrant is out.
Prosecution of the two followed the July 3 assault on the Presidential Secretariat, where two protestors were shot dead before violence and arson erupted in other parts of Georgetown.