A senior official of the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers (DPP) had sought to secure the premature police release of the Islamic scholar who is implicated in sexually assaulting three brothers, shortly after he was arrested.

Well-placed police sources say the official had called at least one high ranking officer at the East Coast Divisional headquarters, asking that the Mufti be released about one hour after he had been detained Wednesday midday.

The sources told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com ) that this “was strenuously resisted” by the police officer. The official was told that the new Sexual Offences Act provides for the detention of accused persons for a specified period of time before they could be released from police custody.

Demerara Waves Online News was told that after moves were afoot to get the man released, the police decided to move him from Turkkeyn station to another station on the East Coast Demerara where he would have been under stricter supervision.

The Mufti was placed on GUY$150,000 station bail Thursday pending legal advice.

The children’s mother and officials of the Child Protection Agency (CPA) have confirmed that medical examinations have proven that the boys were sexually assaulted.

Deputy Chairman of the opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves ) that there appeared to be a mix of religion and local laws.

“This is an outrageous situation and I would urge the DPP to reconsider her action that seems to be based on doctrinal affinity rather than any sense of justice,” he said.

The CIOG, acknowledging that the man is one of its employees, has since sent him on leave pending the outcome of the probe and any court proceedings.

Vowing never to condone any illegal act, the CIOG has said that “our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect by promoting healthy families, protecting children, and supporting communities throughout this country remains unblemished.