HGP NIGHTLY NEWS- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has defended the decision to institute murder…

HGP NIGHTLY NEWS- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has defended the decision to institute murder charges against three men in connection with the MV Barima tragedy, amid growing public criticism over the timing of the charges before the commencement of a Commission of Inquiry. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the DPP emphasized that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent constitutional office, operating under Article 187 of the Constitution and is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. According to the statement, the DPP reviewed the police investigation file into the MV Barima tragedy before advising that murder charges be laid against Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondel Dwayne Roberts and Transport and Harbours Department Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson. The DPP said the decision followed a careful assessment of the evidence, the applicable law, judicial authorities from the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth jurisdictions, rulings from the European Court of Human Rights and public policy considerations. Addressing concerns that the criminal proceedings should await the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, the DPP maintained that both processes can proceed simultaneously. The statement noted that similar parallel proceedings occurred in the 2018 Berbice piracy matter and the 2020 Regional and General Elections fraud cases. The DPP further stated that, given the unprecedented magnitude of the MV Barima tragedy and the significant public interest surrounding the matter, the prosecution will continue while giving due consideration to the work of the Commission of Inquiry.