Guyana Police Force Pursues Extradition of Political Activist Rickford Burke on Extortion Charges

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) says it is prepared to bring extortion charges against New York-based Guyanese political activist Rickford Burke and begin extradition proceedings so he can face the court here.

Burke, president of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), has denied the latest allegation, describing it as a “fabrication”.

In a brief statement on Saturday, the GPF said it has “cogent, compelling, and irrefutable evidence” that Burke extorted money from a local businessman.

“The matter is under review and the police is awaiting further legal advice in relation to the institution of fresh charges,” it said.

The announcement on Saturday came just days after Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire ruled that the State’s use of criminal defamation laws to prosecute CGID president Burke was unconstitutional, violated freedom of expression under Article 146 of the Guyana Constitution, and constituted government overreach.