GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — In a chilling display of state overreach, the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) continues to weaponize the Guyanese judiciary to target its critics, both at home and abroad. The latest victim is political commentator and diaspora activist Rickford Burke, who faces multiple criminal charges under Guyana’s Cybercrime Act.
The charges, filed by Detective Sergeant Stephan Hinds of the Criminal Investigation Department, accuse Burke of “using a computer system to humiliate” Kwame McCoy, a senior PPP official and the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister. Burke, known for his relentless critiques of the PPP’s record on extrajudicial killings, corruption, state racism, and the systemic oppression of Afro-Guyanese citizens, now finds himself pursued across international borders for expressing dissent.
A recently released statement from the Caribbean Guyana Institute of Democracy (CGID), stated that, “the people of Guyana and the Caribbean Region will be stunned by the court documents, which establish that Guyana’s PPP government Minister, Kwame McCoy, Guyana Police Force Detective Sergeant Stephan Hinds, and Attorney at Law Darshan Ramdhani, formed a conspiracy to knowingly and deliberately lie in false and malicious charges against President of the New York based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy, Mr. Rickford Burke, and others.”
“This is not law enforcement, this is political persecution,” said one legal observer who asked to remain anonymous. “The charges are a transparent attempt to intimidate critics and silence a man who has consistently challenged the PPP’s abuse of power.”
The statement goes on to say, “the documents are sworn statements of fabricated charges that these three liars submitted to the Magistrate’s Court in Guyana, falsely alleging that Mr. Burke resides at Fellowship, East Coast Demerara in Guyana and commited cybercrimes in Guyana. Mr. Burke has relentlessly criticized the PPP government for corruption and racism. The false documents were filed in court in secret, with the hope a Magistrate will issue a summons for Burke to attend court in Guyana.”
What makes this case even more grotesque, critics say, is the identity of the supposed “victim”—Kwame McCoy.
McCoy, who is listed as the complainant humiliated by Burke, is no stranger to controversy. He has long been accused of being the shadowy figure behind “Live in Guyana,” a venomous online blog notorious for its vile personal attacks on women, opposition voices, and independent journalists. Despite numerous complaints, no state investigation has ever been launched into McCoy’s alleged involvement in the blog, which many believe is operated with the quiet blessing of the PPP leadership.
“It is the height of irony that McCoy, who has built a career on online character assassination and misogynistic smear campaigns, now claims to be a victim of cyberbullying,” said a media professional familiar with McCoy’s controversial history. “If he wants to find cybercrime, he need only look in the mirror.”
McCoy’s storied, and sordid, past includes allegations of assaulting political activist Mark Benschop, being arrested for the murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing, and being one of three men accused of dousing newspaper columnist Freddie Kissoon with feces. Shockingly, McCoy was also allegedly caught on tape soliciting sex from a minor and reportedly struck a female parliamentarian with a phone.
Despite these serious allegations, spanning years, none have resulted in prosecution because of his affiliation with the ruling PPP party. Meanwhile, Rickford Burke, a private citizen living abroad, now faces multiple criminal complaints for what amounts to political speech. The stark contrast in accountability raises troubling questions about justice and selective enforcement in Guyana.
Concern is growing across the diaspora. Many fear that the PPP is attempting to use the compromised judicial system to chill free expression among overseas Guyanese, especially those who speak out on issues of state violence, economic inequality, and ethnic marginalization.
“This is not about justice. It’s about vengeance. It’s about silencing a powerful Black voice who won’t play by their rules,” said a former judicial official who asked not to be named. “If they can go after Rickford Burke, they can go after any of us.”
At a time when Guyana is experiencing unprecedented oil wealth, citizens hoped for a more inclusive and democratic future. Instead, they are witnessing the entrenchment of power, the manipulation of legal instruments, and the resurrection of old political vendettas.
As the world watches, the PPP’s continued persecution of dissenters risks placing Guyana on a dangerous path, where speech is a crime, justice is selective, and power is absolute.
