By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The People’s Progressive Party is playing it safe when it comes to the contentious Sean Hinds, who recently admitted to being a former member of the Death Squad back in 2002/2003 which was responsible for killing several armed criminals who had escaped from the Camp Street Prison in February 2002.
General Secretary of the Opposition PPP, Clement Rohee at a press conference on Monday, July 27, repeatedly distanced the Party from Hinds, but admitted that the former Policeman recently visited the PPP’s Freedom House Headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown.
Rohee however claimed to have no knowledge as to who Hinds met at Freedom House or his purpose for being there.
“I saw him here [Freedom House] sitting; he claimed that he was waiting for someone. I never asked him who was the someone; I just left and went away,” Rohee told reporters when questioned.
But he maintained that “There is no relationship between the People’s Progressive Party and Sean Hinds, whatsoever.”
When probed by reporters, Rohee did not want to say whether the PPP is concerned or worried that a man, who has been allegedly involved in many criminal acts, was visiting the Party’s headquarters.
“Listen to me, number one, a man s innocent until proven guilty; number two, a person has what is called pre – trial liberty and number three, there are persons who go to court and they are acquitted. Now if you see a man like that walking around the place, whether it is a Sean Hinds or a Bald Hinds…how are you gonna judge him?…this is a public building,” the former Home Affairs Minister said.
Hinds was recently the bodyguard of the now sacked Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, who is closely affiliated with the PPP. He has also been observed at numerous PPP events and at Freedom House on Robb Street.
During his bombshell interview on HGPTV Nightly News last week, Hinds confessed to being part of the Death Squad and implicated the Criminal Investigations Department, which he said directed and provided guns to the deadly squad.
He also implicated officials of the PPP in the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing and also alleged that he [Hinds] was given the security contract for the PPP during the elections period.
But Rohee is denying that Hinds provided any form security to the Party.
“As far as I am aware as General Secretary of this Party, from the time I assumed this position, I don’t know about any security being provided by Sean Hinds for the People’s Progressive Party. Mr Hinds can say what he wants to say; he is free to say what he wants to say, but we can also dispute what he is claiming.”
When further questioned, Rohee refused to say whether the PPP is concerned about the revelations being made by Hinds. During an interview with journalist, Travis Chase of HGPTV Nightly News on Thursday, July 23, Hinds revealed that he decided to come forward with his story because he does not want to return to jail for crimes he did not commit.
Hinds, along with Mark Thomas and Ashton King were charged with the murder of George Bacchus in February 2004. Days before his death, Bacchus had publicly confessed to being a death squad informant. Hinds, however was acquitted of the charge in the High Court.
Hinds was also charged with kidnapping a 13-year-old girl in 2009 and also in the July 2012 multi-million robbery of Annie Ramsood in Bel Air but those charges were withdrawn on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
He said that after his name is being associated with the murder of E-wing, he decided to seek refuge at the PPP’s Headquarters last week.
Rohee still doesn’t understand that he and the rest of those roaches and gutter snipes have absolutely no credibility what’s so ever… Of course he, jagdeo, anil et al know him…. He was doing you all’s bidding….
Rohee , we all see your mouth moving and that means you are laying the PPP is distancing them selves from Hinds, too later , only a fool would believe anything the PPP has to say. Rohee you are full of “HOT AIR”.
You know Mr Rohee we never expected you or any member of the PPP to admit you know this Guy. Just like Jagdeo saying he did not know Roger Khan. APNU you’re pussy-footing with these damn people.
“the Criminal Investigations Department, which he said directed and provided guns to the deadly squad.” Revamp the entire police force. jail them.
Most people DO NOT believe you, Mr Rohee.
When Rohee says there was no relationship between Sean Hinds and the PPP, despite all we know, it not only confirms the disconnect between the PPP and Guyanese, but it also confirms how unhinged Rohee is from reality.
One day Rohee will call a press conference and deny he ever called it and deny his name is Rohee and deny he is actually talking to reporters. Then he will get up to leave, change his mind and declare he never got up to leave and changed his mind.
Then Jagdeo will interrupt the press conference and ask Rohee if he is ready to go and fly kite, but Rohee will tell him it is not even Christmas.