DDP denies intervening in Imam child sex probe

Jan 21, 2012 News

Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar Hack has denied trying to intervene in the investigation concerning the Islamic scholar who is implicated in a child sex investigation.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mrs. Hack said that she has in no way interfered with the police investigation in this matter.
“The police are free to conduct their independent investigations and to even proceed with the institution of charges without the advice of the DDP.”
The DDP said her office is a constitutional one and that is a duty which is taken seriously.
“I act in accordance with the law and the evidence before me in a professional and objective manner and the case of the Islamic Scholar will be no exception, I do not act in accordance to race, religion or creed.”
The DDP was responding to reports in some sections of the media that she had intervened in trying to secure station bail for the Islamic scholar.
It was alleged that shortly after the Imam was arrested, a call was sent to a high ranking officer on the East Coast of Demerara asking for the accused man to be released.  There were also reports that after efforts were being made to have the Imam released ranks moved him from the Turkeyen Police Station to the Cove and John Station.
Meanwhile the Central Islamic Organization has stated that the Imam in question has since been sent on leave as he was employed as a teacher for the organization.
“The individual in question is employed by this organization. Since the allegations have been made, this person was sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation and any case in the courts,” the local Islamic organization said. The organization further stated that it does not condone such acts.
Kaieteur News reported this week that the Islamic scholar who is an Imam for a Masjid in Turkeyen, was under investigation for allegedly having sex with four boys.
Police detained him for several days before releasing him on $150,000 station bail late Thursday.
According to reports, the man was taken into police custody on Monday after a medical examination revealed that the boys, ages ranging from four to 10, were sexually molested. All of the children are members of the Masjid.