ONE year after the brutal abduction and death of Lethem businessman, Mohammed Ishmael Khan, his grieving wife, Linda Khan said yesterday she has been asked to be in court in Boa Vista, Brazil on Monday when the four Brazilian policemen charged with his murder are scheduled to make a court appearance.
According to Khan’s daughter, Rabeina, officials from Brazil called her mother and informed her that she must be in court for the trial.
Linda Khan said in an interview yesterday that she has contracted a Brazilian lawyer, Dr. Clovis Moreia, who will be representing her in court.
She said this year was the first time they spent Father’s Day without her husband and it was very painful for the family.
Mrs. Khan, Vice President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), of which her husband was President, said the chamber missed him greatly because he was a strong and respectable community leader involved in many organisations and deemed a pillar in Lethem.
She said the RCCI lost a great man and a friend.
“I wish that when I go to Brazil on Monday the Brazilian officials will be able to come to a final compromise to settle this court battle because the longer it takes the more painful it is for us. We want this trial to end so we can live in peace knowing that the policemen responsible for his death will be sentenced,” she said.
The four policemen who allegedly abducted and murdered Khan while he was en route to a business trip to Boa Vista, capital of the State of Roraima in Brazil on June 2, 2003, were arrested and are in prison pending the trial.
Khan was taken off a bus heading to Boa Vista and his captors later called his family and made a $5M ransom demand for his safe release.
His remains were discovered on July 5 in Sao Silvestre, about 80 kilometres from Boa Vista.
His wife identified the remains by several personal effects, including pieces of gold jewellery, torn garments, footwear, sunglasses and a belt found near the body.
Subsequently, after doubts were raised regarding the discovery of Khan’s remains, a DNA test was done in Brazil to determine the identity.
Khan’s remains were taken back to Lethem where he was buried after a massive funeral.
The policemen arrested are said to be involved in 25 different offences including homicide.
Khan was the proprietor of Savannah Inn Guest House and General Store, Lethem. (MICHEL OUTRIDGE)