Man admits to fatally stabbing friend at MYO ground in 2022
February 26 2026
A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the fatal stabbing of his close friend during a cricket match, bringing a significant development to a case that dates back to 2022.
Afzal Deendial formally entered a guilty plea to manslaughter before Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court, after prosecutors accepted a reduced charge in place of murder.
The prosecution is being represented by attorney-at-law Christopher Belfield.
The charge relates to the death of 25-year-old Kareem Kayum, who was killed during a confrontation at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, on August 12, 2022.
Police had alleged that Kayum and the accused, who were known to each other and shared a close friendship, became involved in a heated argument during the match.
What reportedly began as routine exchanges of words common in competitive games quickly escalated.
During the dispute, the court previously heard that the accused armed himself with a knife and stabbed Kayum to the chest, in the region of the heart.
Kayum collapsed and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The accused was subsequently arrested and reportedly confessed during questioning.
At the time of his death, Kayum, of Regent Street, Georgetown, was just days away from his wedding, scheduled for August 21, 2022, and had reportedly been making final preparations earlier that day before joining friends for the game.
He was also said to have served as a mentor within his faith community.
The then 21-year-old accused, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, was first brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was later committed to stand trial in the High Court.
Following the guilty plea, Justice Singh ordered the preparation of a probation report and a victim impact statement to assist with sentencing. Those reports are to be submitted by March 10, with sentencing set for March 16 at 09:00h.
