Lawsuit pending in Guyana teenager torture

The torture allegedly occurred at the Leonora Police Station in October . (File photo)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, February 8, 2010 – Guyana’s Commissioner of Police, Attorney General and two police officers are being sued by lawyers representing the 15-year-old who was tortured while in police custody over three months ago.

Attorneys-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan and Neil Persram, who are expected to file an affidavit in the court this week, are seeking at least GUY$25 million (US$121,536) in compensation on behalf of Twyon Thomas.

The torture allegedly occurred at the Leonora Police Station in October last year while he was in custody in connection with the murder of former Region Three Deputy Chairman, Ramnauth Bisram.

A December 2009 report from the investigation into the incident revealed that other lawmen, including a senior officer, knew about the pain being inflicted on Thomas but turned a blind eye to their colleagues' illegal activity.

The report, done by the Office of Professional Responsibility, said that the boy was interviewed by two police officers before being escorted to the station where, despite maintaining his innocence, he was blindfolded with his jersey, stripped, beaten and put to lie on the floor before his genital area was allegedly soaked with mentholated spirits then set alight.