Women leaders, NGOs must demand impartial probe- AFC on Karimbaksh rape scandal

September 29 2026

The Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling for Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh to be removed from duty pending a full, independent and impartial investigation into allegations of serious criminal misconduct made against him.

The AFC said a female police inspector has reportedly accused Karimbaksh of rape, assault and threatening her life.

The party described the allegations as serious and said they warrant an investigation outside of the regular police structure.

Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), should be investigated by an independent team comprising regional and international investigators, the AFC said.

The party said it does not believe an investigation conducted by members of the Guyana Police Force into allegations against one of its senior officers would be sufficiently independent.

The AFC also called on the Minister of Home Affairs to publicly support an independent investigation, while urging women leaders in the governing PPP to speak out on the allegations.

The party further appealed to independent non-governmental organisations, women’s rights groups and members of the public to support its call for Karimbaksh to be removed from duty and for an impartial investigation to be conducted.

The allegations remain unproven and Karimbaksh has not been convicted of any offence.

See full statement below:

” AFC calls for impartial investigation into accusations made against Head of SOCU

The Alliance For Change calls for Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh to be relieved of duties immediately and for a full, independent and impartial investigation into reports of criminal misconduct made against him.

A female inspector of police has reportedly accused Karimbaksh of rape, assault and threatening her life. These are serious allegations of criminal behaviour and it is not the first time that the head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has found himself accused of being on the wrong side of the law.

The Party calls for an independent team of regional and international investigators to be comprised to dig into these allegations. Like the rest of Guyana, we have no confidence that any investigation by the police into one of its own would be impartial.

Although it is unlikely, a decisive statement from the Minister of Home Affairs supporting the call for an independent investigation would be an indication that the minister has a zero tolerance policy on rape and sexual assault.

Similarly, though unlikely, Sonia Parag, Dr. Vindya Persaud, Susanne Rodrigues, Priya Manickchand and other women leaders of the PPP should raise their voices demanding an impartial investigation. Their silence can be interpreted either as complicity or that they have been issued a Gag Order.

The AFC urges independent NGOs, women’s ogranisations and all right thinking Guyanese to join the call for Karimbaksh to removed from duties and for an impartial investigation into the allegations made against him.”