In a dramatic turn of events, President Irfaan Ali has bowed to mounting public pressure and ordered the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, to withdraw the Government’s appeal against a High Court ruling in the unlawful killing of 25-year-old Quindon Bacchus. The appeal, which had been filed in December 2024, had sparked outrage across the nation, with many accusing the government of defending police brutality and undermining the rule of law.
On November 13, 2024, High Court Judge Nigel Niles had ordered the State to pay $24 million in compensation to Bacchus’ family, following the unlawful killing of the young man by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The case was brought by Bacchus’ mother, who was represented by attorneys Dexter Smartt and Dexter Todd.
Bacchus, a father of one, was shot dead on June 10, 2022, in Haslington, East Coast Demerara, during a police operation. Initially, the police claimed that Bacchus was involved in an illegal firearm transaction and had engaged in a shootout with officers.
However, subsequent investigations revealed serious inconsistencies in the police’s account, leading to the court’s finding that Bacchus had been unlawfully killed. His death sparked days of protests in Haslington and national outrage, with the public calling for justice.
While the court’s judgment was widely hailed as a victory for justice, the government’s decision to appeal the ruling was met with scathing criticism. Critics, including ordinary citizens, social activists, media personalities, and political figures, blasted the government for attempting to overturn a judgment in a case where the police’s actions had clearly violated their own Standing Orders and the basic rights of the deceased. The decision to appeal was seen as a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life, a new low in society, and an endorsement of lawlessness within the ranks of the police force.
The public outcry was swift and relentless, with many accusing the government of using its power to shield the police from accountability. Calls grew louder for the government to rescind its decision and honor the court’s ruling. Yesterday, President Ali caved to this pressure, announcing that the government would drop the appeal and compensate Bacchus’ family based on the court’s November 13 ruling.
Social activist and criminologist Mark Benschop remains skeptical about the government’s true intentions. Benschop warned that the public should not be fooled by the government’s sudden change of heart.
“This installed regime cannot be trusted,” Benschop said, referring to the Ali administration as one more focused on entrenching itself in power than upholding justice. “They are known to say one thing and do something else. We need to keep the pressure on until there is full financial restitution for Bacchus’ family—and until we are certain the appeal has been officially dropped.”
Benschop’s concerns are not without merit. The timing of the government’s decision to withdraw the appeal, just months before the 2025 elections, has led many to suspect that it is nothing more than a cynical attempt to win votes. “This is clearly a vote-buying tactic,” Benschop added. “The regime is only interested in protecting its hold on power and securing access to oil wealth, not in truly serving the people.”
The tragic death of Quindon Bacchus highlighted the systemic issues within the Guyana Police Force and its culture of impunity. The case has exposed disregard for human rights and the deep-seated problems within the police force, which continues to operate with little accountability.
The withdrawal of the appeal without respect for the rule of law will do little to address the underlying issues of police brutality, the abuse of power, and the failure of the state to ensure justice for all.
Bacchus’ death remains a painful reminder of the need for meaningful reform within the police force and the justice system. National protests for justice for his death, which initially sought justice for a young man unjustly killed, are part of a broader movement demanding systemic change and accountability from the government and law enforcement.
As Guyanese, particularly the family of Quindon Bacchus, await the compensation, the question remains: will the government’s gesture be enough to convince the public that it is truly committed to justice, or is this merely another instance of a regime willing to sacrifice principles for political gain? The answer lies not in the withdrawal of an appeal, but in the long-term actions the government takes to ensure that such tragic events never happen again.
