Three men freed on bail in 'Paper Shorts' murder investigation

Three individuals held in connection with the 2021 killing of Ricardo Fagundes have been granted station bail of $1 million each, amid claims of political interference in the probe.

Three men freed on bail in 'Paper Shorts' murder investigation

Authorities have released three individuals who were being questioned about the 2021 slaying of Ricardo Fagundes, widely known by his street name. Each was given station bail valued at one million dollars following several days in custody.

As reported by Kaieteur News, those freed include a former manager at a security firm, a car salesman, and an ex-security officer. The latter had been kept at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters since the previous Wednesday and was represented by lawyer Damien DaSilva. The former manager had Nigel Hughes as his attorney.

Relatives of the ex-security officer expressed joy after his discharge. His siblings told journalists outside police headquarters that officers had moved him between stations in what they described as an effort to avoid press attention. They stated he was first held at the CID headquarters before being transferred to a divisional station, which they characterized as a diversion tactic.

The killing at the center of this probe took place in March 2021, when Fagundes was struck by numerous bullets outside a nightlife venue on Main Street in the capital. Attackers emerged from a darkened white station wagon to carry out the hit. The automobile was later discovered burned along a highway.

An opposition figure who previously employed two of the released men has claimed the renewed investigation is politically driven. He alleged that the head of state ordered the case reopened as payback after the opposition leader publicized details about a large agricultural property linked to the president. He also released documents purporting to show the vehicle used in the attack was sold to someone else entirely, and shared an audio clip allegedly revealing pressure on the car dealer to alter his testimony.

This development follows earlier claims by a police sergeant of a cover-up at the highest levels. A review by outside investigators previously found no proof of corruption among senior detectives handling the matter.

Source: Kaieteur News