Explosive Testimony in 2020 Elections Trial as Court Orders Visit to Ashmins Building
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
GUYANA – The high-stakes trial surrounding the controversial March 2020 General and Regional Elections took a dramatic turn on Monday, as Magistrate Faith McGusty ordered a court-supervised site visit to the Ashmins Building, the former GECOM command center and epicenter of alleged electoral misconduct.
The visit—scheduled for Wednesday at 9:30 AM—will include the magistrate, attorneys, and key witnesses, who will physically examine the location that has dominated testimony for weeks.
Bomb Threat Ignored, Testifies Senior Officer
One of the most striking revelations came from Assistant Superintendent of Police Dyal, who testified that on March 5, 2020, he responded to a bomb threat at the Ashmins Building. Dyal, then head of the bomb disposal unit, recalled giving repeated warnings to evacuate, yet:
“No one left the building,” he said, noting that even with the bomb squad on site, top election and political officials remained inside.
Legal Fireworks Over Evidence Submission
Before the explosive testimony, courtroom tensions flared as prosecutors attempted to introduce a late witness statement from Josel Canhai, intended to clarify events between March 3 and 13, 2020. The defense pushed back hard, citing violations of disclosure deadlines and procedural fairness. Magistrate McGusty has requested joint submissions from both sides to resolve the issue.
Accused Faces Serious Charges
Nine individuals are currently facing conspiracy charges for allegedly attempting to rig the 2020 elections in favor of the then-governing APNU+AFC coalition. The accused include:
- Valerie Lawrence – Former Government Minister
- Keith Lowenfield – Ex-Chief Elections Officer
- Clement Mingo – Former Region Four Returning Officer
- Roxanne Myers – Former Deputy CEO of GECOM
Site Visit to Shed Light on Key Testimony
The upcoming site visit is expected to involve demonstrations linked to testimony. Witnesses, including Local Government Minister Sonia Parag, Observer Rosalinda Rho, and former Commander Edgar Thomas, will identify key locations referenced in their statements. The court has approved the use of video recording and measurement gathering during the walkthrough.
With the Ashmins Building back in the spotlight, the trial continues to pull back the curtain on what transpired during one of Guyana’s most disputed electoral moments in modern history.
