Sawak Maraj, the Trinidadian who faked his own kidnapping shortly after his entry into Guyana, was moments ago sentenced to four years and another 18 months imprisonment for several offences.
The 33-year-old chemical engineer was on trial before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
This afternoon, when the matter was called, the Magistrate told the court that she found sufficient evidence against Maraj, hence she handed down the custodial sentences.
Particulars of the first charge against him alleged that on October 27, 2017, at Georgetown, he knowingly gave false information to the police by stating he was kidnapped and that his abductors demanded US$700,000 for his release.
The second charge alleged that on the same day at Madewini Resort, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Maraj conspired with other persons to negotiate to obtain a ransom of US$700,000.
Maraj was sentenced to four years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit a felony and 18 months for knowingly giving false information to the police.
The two sentences will run consecutively.
Maraj, upon hearing the sentences, turned to his mother who was seated in the courtroom and hugged her. The woman soon after fell to the ground upon seeing an officer handcuffing her son.
According to information, Maraj came to Guyana on October 27, 2017, via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
He reportedly left the airport in a taxi and was heading to a hotel on East Bank Demerara when he disappeared.
Maraj told the court that he came to Guyana to attend a job interview with ExxonMobil. Shortly after the engineer left the airport, a photograph of him with someone holding a cutlass to his neck was sent to his parents and other relatives in Trinidad and Tobago.
It is alleged that the “kidnappers” threatened to kill their victim if the demanded ransom was not paid. The engineer’s family immediately made contact with the Guyana Police Force and forwarded the photograph.
Ranks were able to track the number of the “kidnappers” and the officers were immediately mobilised in and around Georgetown.
They then went to the location in a bid to rescue the “victim”. On arrival at the hotel, the ranks were puzzled when they entered the room where they saw Maraj relaxing on a sofa, drinking a can of fruit juice. He was not bound or gagged.
