Former President, Police Commissioner denies wiretapping – Ramjattan

Both Former President David Granger and Commissioner of Police Leslie James have distanced themselves from wiretapping the phone of Former Public Security Minister and AFC Leader Khemraj Rammjattan. Ramjattan told the media on Friday morning that he spoke to both men following reports that he was under surveillance while as minister, “I did speak to both Former President David Granger and the Commissioner of Police Leslie James and both said that they are wholly unaware and had nothing to do with  that wiretapping,” Ramjattan said.

The former minister said that he is “very concerned” whether the interception of his phone did happen, “whether it is true, well that has certain implications, if it is no, how people can fabricate, how they did with Cathy (Hughes) there , certain documents to prove that indeed wiretapping was done,” the AFC leader said.

Under the Interception of Communications Act, there are certain procedures to be followed before this type of surveillance can begin, this includes an application to a judge for permission while producing reasonable suspicion. When asked about that, Ramjattan questioned if indeed, wiretapping was done, why was the document leaked. He said in that context, he was concerned about the accessibility of such information, “you can bring down somebody’s character, I don’t want to personalize the thing but to go to the court and asked armed robberies by Ramjattan, dealing with cocaine , selling firearm and ammunition, gun licenses and all of that, the leak, assuming it is a leak is extremely dangerous and can lead to character assassination,” he said.

Under the Interception of Communications Act, the Commissioner of Police, Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Chief of Staff are “authorised officers” who can request such orders of a judge.