PRESS RELEASE - On Tuesday, April 21, 2015 about 1:30 p.m. the lifeless body of 18 year old, Marvin Anthony Augustin of Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet was discovered on the Trouya Beach, in Gros-Islet.
Anthony sustained a laceration to the throat.
Earlier that day about 12:30 p.m. police received information from Anthony’s mother indicating that he was last seen on Monday, April 20, 2015 about 6:00 p.m.
The body was pronounced dead by a medical doctor. Investigations are continuing into the matter.
Seven Napalese nationals who went missing on Friday (April 17) have been detained by law enforcement officials in Grenada, police officials here have confirmed.
The alleged escapees were reportedly staying at Happy Days Guest House in Gros Islet and Coral Reef Guest House near the Marina in Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet.
Reports are that suspicion was raised when the foreigners did not show up for the Friday night street party in Gros Islet town.
There are about 60 students who are involved in the Lambirds Academy scam, many of whom remain in Saint Lucia. The students are foreign nationals of: Nepal, The Philippines and India.
A small batch of the students have been returned to their home country, with the assistance of the United Nations International Organization of Migration.
Oliver Gobat.
PRESS RELEASE - To date not a single person has been arrested or charged in connection with the murder of Oliver Gobat affectionately called Ollie by family and friends. The various persons of interest have not even been interviewed.
Meanwhile the IMPACS report has naturally raised question marks over those paid to protect us and investigate serious crime. Despite it all we stand in faith hoping that justice will be made a priority given the new restructuring of parts of the RSLPF pursuant to this report.
Our son, brother and friend to many was brutally murdered and the pain is one that no family should have to bear. We stand seeking justice not only for Ollie but for anyone who has lost a loved one in an untimely and unjust way.
We sincerely hope that a more thorough investigation can now be undertaken and the UK specialist teams providing assistance in this matter, have described this crime as “very solvable”! It is our hope that, with even more assistance from the UK government in the future, the co-operation of the RSLPF that result will be achieved.
The frustrations of working overtime to ensure that this case remains a top priority during this time of grief, has been an extra burden on the family, one they would rather not have to bear. This is not only a case of solving the murder of Ollie Gobat, this is a question of whether law enforcement in Saint Lucia is capable of bringing justice for serious offences. It raises the question not only of safety and security but the ability to enforce laws.
It is with immense sadness that we have to point out that this weekend, Saturday, the 25th April, will be one year since Ollie Gobat was so cruelly executed. His family and friends in St. Lucia and elsewhere are still suffering from the trauma and shock of his death, and there will be no closure or resolution until or unless his evil murderers are apprehended.
On Saturday 25th April, a vigil will be held for Ollie, to share memories and to show that we all need: Justice for Ollie, and Justice for St.Lucia. Many other murders go unsolved in St.Lucia and putting one’s head in the sand about the state of crime on our island is not an option. The Gobat family know they are not the only ones seeking justice for their loved ones and would hope that in resolving Ollie’s murder, other murders may be solved and St.Lucia will become a safer place for everyone.
DEAD: Anthony Augustin.
A teenager who was found with his throat slashed Tuesday afternoon on the Trouya beach in Gros Islet, went missing after leaving to meet a young male he earlier met on Facebook, according to a source.
Relatives and Facebook friends have identified the deceased as 18-year-old Marvin Anthony Augustin of Grand Riviere, Gros Islet. His body was discovered at around 1:30 p.m. – hours after he went missing.
A source close to Augustin, who preferred to remain anonymous, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) “what is known so far”.
“I am really hurt by this…. Apparently he went to meet some guy that he met on Facebook yesterday (Monday) afternoon and told his best friend that if he doesn’t hear from him by 12 a.m. call his mom and tell her everything.
“No one had seen him since yesterday (Monday) or knew where he went. He said he was going to the beach, that’s it. Luckily he sent a picture of the guy he was going to meet to his best friend.
“This morning, someone who recognised the guy went to his apartment in Bois d’Orange and asked for the boy.
“He said he had to meet Anthony but Anthony never showed up, but the person who went to look for Anthony saw his phone case in the guy’s apartment and questioned him about what the case was doing there… Then the guy ran off into the bushes.”
The source believed the incident was a “set up”.
Acting Police Press Officer Zachary Hippolyte has confirmed the incident, but said “details are sketchy at this moment”.
Hippolyte said a press release will be given as soon as more information is available.
CMC – Grenada police Wednesday confirmed that they had detained seven Nepalese students, reported missing in St Lucia over the last weekend.
In a brief statement, the police said that the students are now in custody “after arriving in Grenada via boat on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 from St Lucia”.
It said the six males and one female “are believed to be victims of human trafficking” and that a “Ghanaian national who is reportedly a resident of Trinidad is also in police custody assisting with police investigation”.
The students are among a group of Asians who have been left virtually stranded here as a result of what has become known as the “Lambirds Academy affair”.
Four men, including three from India, are facing human trafficking charges in St Lucia after the authorities uncovered the alleged scam that brought more than 20 young people here from Nepal and the Philippines.
The group claimed that they had responded to an offer of education in hospitality, cruise and business management, from Lambirds Academy which is based in northern town of Gros Islet in St Lucia.
The Asians said they each paid $US9, 000 for the courses and $US13,000 to get to St Lucia, but on arrival here were told by law enforcement authorities that they had been duped. Some of the students have returned to their home with the assistance of the International Organisation of Migration (IOM).
The seven students detained in Grenada have been identified as Dipak Sapkota, 22, Chandra Bahadur Thapa, 22, Ankit Dhakal, 18, Pradip Adhikari, 23, Dipak Bhujel, 20, Sharma Kafle-Arjun, 32, and Numkala Tiwari, 20.
PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, April 22, 2015 a post mortem examination was conducted on the body of 18 year old Marvin Anthony Augustin of Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet.
The examination revealed that Augustin died as a result of hemorrhagic shock secondary to incised wound to the right jugular.
The lifeless body of Augustin was discovered on the Trouya beach in Gros-Islet on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 about 1:30 p.m.
Investigations are continuing into the matter.
Augustin.
A post mortem examination conducted on the body of 18-year-old Marvin Anthony Augustin of Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet has revealed that he sustained 56 stabs wounds.
The post mortem concluded that Augustin died from hemorrhagic shock secondary to a stab wound.
Augustin was found with his throat slashed Tuesday (April 21) on Trouya Beach in Gros Islet, hours after he went missing.
His lifeless body was discovered at around 1:30 p.m.
A missing person’s report was filed with the police the same day his body was discovered on the beach.
Augustin was last seen on Monday, April 20 at about 6 p.m.
A source close to Augustin, who preferred to remain anonymous, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) the incident might have been a set up.
The source claimed Augustin went to meet another male on the beach, the same day he went missing. He allegedly met the person online via Facebook.
Apparently Augustin sent a photo of the person he was going to meet on the beach to his best friend.
Police are currently looking for a Jamaican man who has been identified as a possible suspect.
Cocaine
A Barbadian couple who were arrested in January on drug related charges here, made a court appearance today.
Ritchie Bonnet and Maria Shepherd were allegedly nabbed while attempting to board a LIAT flight to Barbados with 2.8 kilos of cocaine in their possession.
Bonnet who pleaded guilty was fined $100,000 to be paid on or before July 30, 2015. If he fails to pay this sum, he could face 18 months in prison.
He was discharged on the intent to supply and export the illegal substance.
Charges against his companion were dropped.
The couple made their first court appearance on Friday January 23, 2015 on the drug related charges. According to the police, the illicit drugs have a street value of $84,000 EC dollars.
Sahab Jamshidi.
HAMILTON SPECTATOR - On the eve of a court hearing that will decide if an Canadian doctor will stand trial in the drowning death of a four-year-old St. Lucia boy, his family says the defence has still not seen any of the evidence against him.
Sahab Jamshidi is charged with a type of manslaughter — gross negligence or recklessness causing death — in the drowning of a local boy, T.J. Elibox, on Feb. 22.
“We urge the Government of St. Lucia and their police to respect their own legislation and disclose the required information to Sahab’s lawyer ahead of the hearing so the lawyer can prepare a defence for Sahab,” his family said in an emailed statement Thursday.
“We place our hope in the St. Lucian Justice system, and we are confident that justice will prevail.”
Jamshidi is a McMaster graduate who was visiting St. Lucia, where he had previously attended medical school, when he became involved in the boy’s death at the beach on a church outing.
He is due in court April 24 for a “sufficiency hearing,” in which a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence for the case to move forward. The maximum sentence for his charge is life imprisonment.
Conflicting stories around the circumstances of the death have circulated on the Caribbean island since Jamshidi was charged.
Police allege the boy drowned after Jamshidi took him out into the water on his kite board.
Jamshidi maintains he was out on the water kite-surfing when he first spotted T.J. drowning, and called for help after failing to rescue him.
Emma Hippolyte addressing SLP supporters on Thursday evening.
As part of ongoing investigations into the Lambirds Academy scam, police have conducted searches at the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs and the Invest Saint Lucia Office.
Commerce Minister Emma Hippolyte made this disclosure at a Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) public meeting held at the Castries Market Steps on Thursday evening, while noting that her ministry has been shaken up by the scam.
Hippolyte told the gathering that employees of both offices were questioned and made sworn statements to the police. These same employees may have to appear in court.
She said her ministry is cooperating fully with the police on this matter. This message was conveyed to Minister of National Security Victor La Cobiniere and the Commissioner of Police.
“I will make a statement in parliament on the matter. I will provide a chronology of events as I know them,” the minister told the large gathering of SLP supporters on Thursday.
Hippolyte said her silence on the matter is not because of disinterest or disrespect to the people of Saint Lucia, but merely because it is a legal matter, which now has the attention of the court.
“For this reason I chose not to say not one word or take any action that would influence this case, one way or another,” she explained.
Hippolyte said she has been paying close attention to comments made by citizens with regards to the scam and was surprised by some of what was said.
“I have listened and observed in disbelief as sons and daughters of Saint Lucia inflict deep wounds on the image and reputation of our beloved country, wounds that will scar the beauty of ‘Fair Helen’ for generations, wounds that would have significant economic costs to our country,” she explained.
The minister assured the gathering that she will continue to serve with honour and perform her best.
She also reminded the gathering that the matter was discussed at a recent cabinet meeting, where it was decided that government will conduct an independent inquiry in due course.
Four men have been arrested and charged with human trafficking and money laundering in connection with the alleged internet scam at Lambirds Academy that left a group of foreigners stranded in St. Lucia.
A man sustained chop wounds to his hand during an attempted robbery on Thursday evening, a police official has confirmed.
Reports are that the incident occurred sometime between 9:00.p.m. and 9:30.p.m. in Leslie Land, Castries.
St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the victim is a minibus driver that operates along the Rockhall, Pavee route.
The bandits did not manage to get anything from the driver.
However one of the bandits was also injured during a scuffle with the driver.
No more details.
Oliver Gobat.
THE ADVERTISER - The family of a former British businessman brutally murdered in the Caribbean has told of fresh heartache amid claims that police blunders and government bureaucracy is hampering the case.
The execution of millionaire hotelier Oliver Gobat, 38, remains unsolved a year after the suspected professional hit on the paradise island of St Lucia.
Detectives believe the killing is linked to a legitimate, multi-million dollar property deal but which threatened a local drugs and money laundering gang.
Ahead of Saturday’s 12-month anniversary of his murder, his grieving family, including Adelaide-raised mother, Helen, 67, and her British husband Theo, 76, revealed their continuing trauma.
They are highly critical of local police blunders and British government red tape, which they believe are hampering the investigation into the “solvable” crime.
“It is… very sad and Ollie does not deserve to be neglected in this way,” Mrs Gobat told The Advertiser.
“His family and friends are still suffering from the trauma and shock of his death and there will be no closure or resolution until or unless his evil murderers are apprehended. Only some justice will begin to compensate for his death.”
Friends and some family will attend a special candlelight vigil tonight on the island not far from where his charred body was found in his torched Range Rover Evoque.
Mr Gobat, known as “Ollie”, who founded the Next Generation gym in North Adelaide and Hindley Street-based Vodka Bar, had been shot twice in the head, doused in aviation fuel and set alight.
His body was “burnt beyond recognition” and was only later identified by his golf shoes. Such was the fire’s ferocity authorities initially believed it was a bushfire.
Authorities believe the brutal nature of the successful entrepreneur’s death — on a remote track 2km from a family-owned luxury hotel located on the northern coast — points to a contract killing.
A British inquest last month heard he had received death threats and was on the cusp of securing a $10.2m (£5.4m) investment in The Landings, a property deal with a consortium of businessmen.
The family, who now travel with a security detail amid fears they may be targets, have offered a $AU200,000 reward and hired a private investigator,
They have pleaded with the British government to send police to help solve the murder after a “questionable” local investigation.
The federal police have also asked by the family to assist, as Mr Gobat was an Australian citizen.
St Lucia police have not commented on the case.
Sahab Jamshidi.
HAMILTON SPECTATOR - It will be an additional three weeks before Sahab Jamshidi learns whether he will face trial in St. Lucia.
A sufficiency hearing for the Hamilton man — charged in the Feb. 22 drowning death of a four-year-old St. Lucian boy — has been adjourned until May 13, family friend Stephen Verbeek told the Spectator from court Friday morning.
Jamshidi is charged with gross negligence or recklessness causing death in the death of T.J. Elibox, who drowned at the beach during a church outing on the island’s Independence Day.
Conflicting stories continue to circulate the island about what happened to TJ.
Police allege the boy drowned after Jamshidi (who was there on vacation, visiting friends from his medical school days) took him out into the water on his kite board. Jamshidi — a trained doctor — maintains that he was out on the water kite surfing when he first spotted four-year-old TJ drowning, and called for help after he failed to rescue him.
It’s unclear what exactly the evidence shows.
Even when Jamshidi, 34, arrived in court Friday morning — supported by family and friends who’d flown down from Canada — he and lawyer Alberton Richelieu had yet to see the details of the police’s evidence against him.
On Thursday, the family posted a statement to social media urging the St. Lucian government and police “to respect their own legislation” and provide disclosure.
In court Friday the judge ordered the Director of Public Prosecutions to disclose the case to Jamshidi and his lawyer ahead of the May 13 hearing.
Verbeek — both a friend and employer of Jamshidi — says the family is trying to remain optimistic.
“The mood’s a bit lighter today. Believe it or not a May 13 adjournment is much better news than we were anticipating,” Verbeek said — noting they were told it is common for cases there to be put over for several months at a time.
Sahar, Jamshidi’s sister (who remained in Canada with her family) agrees—their biggest fear is that the case will be drawn out for months or years.
For now, she says they are just hoping to finally get their hands on the case against him, and are actively in contact with consular officials on the island.
“We were hoping for some concrete information to come forward today and we were disappointed we didn’t see that,” she said.
“We are hoping that before May 13, there will be enough information provided to Sahab’s lawyer that he can prepare a defence for him.”
PRESS RELEASE - On Saturday, April 18, 2015 Saint Lucia Police received reports that a group of seven Nepalese nationals were missing from their place of abode.
Police investigations have confirmed that these individuals have been located in St. George’s, Grenada where they have been detained for questioning in connection with the offence of entering the State without the permission of an Immigration Officer.
Police investigations have established that the individuals were transported from Saint Lucia to Saint Vincent and onwards to Grenada by boat.
A Ghanaian citizen who resides in Trinidad and Tobago has been detained by Grenada Police in connection with the offence of Human Trafficking in this matter.
PRESS RELEASE - Warrants of Arrest in the first instance have been issued in the names of Yannick Alfred also known as “Yannick Albert” or “Gangster Rat” of Wilton’s Yard, Castries and Dane Augustin also known as “Cyborg” of Wilton’s Yard, Castries for the attempted murder of 27 year old, Joachim Henry of Ciceron, Castries.
Henry sustained gunshot wounds to his left hand, left shoulder and center of his back on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 about 2:00 a.m. at Ciceron, Castries.
Members of the the Special Services Unit (SSU) conducted a search of a gang of young people who were loitering and using obscene languages on Micoud Street, opposite the Cathedral, on Friday.
The police acted after some members of the gang shouted “F&@^# the police” as the SSU van passed by.
Among the group of males were four students in school uniform and a young girl. The search was conducted at about 6 p.m.
It is not yet clear if the young men were eventually charged.
A Ghanaian national who was detained in connection with the illegal entry of seven Nepalese nationals, has been charged with human trafficking by the Royal Grenada Police Force – reportedly the first case of human trafficking under Grenada’s revised 2012 criminal code.
Awal Abdul Sharif, a 34-year-old security officer and a resident of Trinidad, is alleged to have caused students Numkala Tiwari Kafle, 21; Ankit Dhakal, 19; Pradip Adhikari, 21; Dipak Sapkota, 22; Dipak Bhujel, 20; and Chandra Thapa, 20; and Arjun Kafle, 32 (cook), all citizens of Nepal, to unlawfully enter the State of Grenada at a place other than a lawful port of entry, and failing to have them report to an immigration officer for examination.
The African was reportedly expected to make his first court appearance on Friday, but was unable to do so because he was hospitalised.
The seven Nepalese are currently waiting departure to St. Lucia.
Police said they are being sent back to St. Lucia because that was their last port of legal entry “and then we have a situation where all their travel documents are with law enforcement there”.
The Nepalise nationals who went missing in St. Lucia turned up in Grenada on a boat earlier this week.
SOURCE: SNO/RGPF and Now Grenada
Kim John and Francis Phillip in this file photo.
Kim John and Francis Phillip, the men accused of setting fire to worshippers in the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries 15 years ago, have been sentenced to life in prison.
The sentence was handed down on Friday in the High Court.
The men had pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the Privy Council canned their death sentence for murder.
It is not yet clear if the court will take into account the 14 years the duo have already spent behind bars. Under St. Lucia law, a life sentence equates to 25 years in prison.
The men are accused of storming the Roman Catholic Church on December 31, 2000 and setting several persons on fire after dousing them with gasoline.
Sister Theresa Egan, 73, was beaten to death with a piece of wood while 62-year-old Rev. Charles Gaillard was set on fire.
Reports are that about a dozen worshippers suffered burns in the attack.
Considered one of the most heinous in the history of this eastern Caribbean island, police said the men declared that they were Rastafarian prophets sent by God to fight corruption in the Catholic Church.
One cousin was arrested and another hospitalised after inflicting wounds on each other during an altercation in Baccarat, Castries (near Marchand).
Reports are that between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., cousins Denver Thomas and Owen Thomas allegedly had an argument over a car when the situation got bloody.
Denver sustained chop wounds to his head, both arms and face while Owen was stabbed in the head.
Owen was reportedly arrested on the scene and Denver was rushed to hospital via ambulance.
Sources say Denver’s wounds were not life-threatening. He was discharged from hospital later the same afternoon. Owen was scheduled to seek medical examination for his wounds.
Both men are preparing to pressing charges against each other, sources say.
Iftekar Ahmed Shams (left) and the other accuseds on their way to the courtroom. * Photo credit: Voice (St. Lucia)
Three of the four men charged in connection with the Lambirds Academy human trafficking and money laundering scandal were granted bail on Friday after attorney Marcus Foster cited an attack on one of his clients in prison as part of his successful bail application.
Indian nationals Kumar Batukbhai Chadasama, Ashwin Kanji Patel, and Gurjeet Singh Vilkhu, who are all charged with human trafficking, were granted EC$100,000 bail. The men were denied bail on two previous occasions.
The court heard on Friday that Patel was attacked earlier this week by three prisoners who bound, gagged and attempted to strangle him.
Foster also told the court that a prison officer came to his rescue.
Lambirds Academy Chief Executive Officer/President Iftekhar Ahmed Shams’ bail hearing is set for Monday.
Shams, who suffers from diabetes and hypertension, was hospitalised several times for collapsing in prison. He is the only one charged with both money laundering and human trafficking.
Meanwhile, as a condition of their bail, Chadasama, Patel, and Vilkhu are to surrender their travel documents; banned from communicating with the virtual complainants in the case; stay at least 200 yards away from the virtual complainants; report to the Gros Islet Police Station twice per day; and periodic police checks on their residences.
The men are accused of using Lambirds Academy as a front to traffic persons from Nepal, The Phillipines, India and other Asian countries, promising them jobs in the US after completion of studies in hospitality management.
Over 70 suspected students were left stranded by the scandal. Some have returned home, but the majority are still in St. Lucia being fed and housed by Good Samaritans with the assistance of the government.
Seven students went missing but were found several days later in Grenada.
