MV Barima disaster inquiry will not affect prosecution of murder accused - DPP

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has issued a statement in relation to the MV Barima tragedy and the murder charges instituted against the captain and two other crew members earlier Tuesday. In a statement, the DPP said the murder charges were recommended based on the investigations conducted by the Guyana Police Force. And it was clarified that the independent Commission of Inquiry announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali will not affect the prosecution of the murder charge. Earlier Tuesday, MV Barima captain Kevin Price, called “KP”, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, and the Goods Superintendent, Delon Granderson, were charged with murder. The MV Barima sank on July 18, 2026. So far, 76 passengers and crew members were rescued, but 73 persons have been confirmed dead. Another 30 persons are still unaccounted for. See below the full statement from the DPP: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent office under Article 187 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and shall not be subject to the direction and control of any other person or authority. The DPP is also vested with the authority and power in any case in which the DPP considers desirable, to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court, of any offence against the laws of Guyana, and to generally have control over any such proceedings instituted or undertaken. Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack In the exercise of those powers, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed a file in relation to the MV Barima tragedy of the investigations done by the Guyana Police Force in relation thereto, and duly advised the institution of the charges of murder against the Captain of the vessel Kevin Price, Chief Mate, Rondel Dwayne Roberts, and the Goods Superintendent of Transport and Harbours Department, Delon Granderson. The decision to do so was based upon careful consideration of the evidence presented, the relevant principles of law involved, case law authorities from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth jurisdictions, the European Court of Human Rights, and public policy considerations. I have noted the impending establishment of an independent Commission of Inquiry by His Excellency the President and wish to state that the business of this Commission of Inquiry will not affect the prosecution of the charge instituted; they can proceed simultaneously as was done in the cases of the piracy charges in the Berbice matter in 2018, and the fraud charges in the 2020 Regional and General Elections. Given the unprecedented magnitude of this matter, coupled with public interest factors, the prosecution will be conducted with due consideration of the work of the Commission of Inquiry.