NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – National Security Minister Dr. Bernard J. Nottage is promising a “transparent and impartial” investigation into the deaths of two people while in police custody.

Nottage said that in the first incident, a 21 year-old male suspect died at the Southern Police Station, while a 33 year-old suspect died at the Central Detective Unit while being questioned with reference to a number of matters.

The National Security Minister said that in order to ensure transparency and impartiality, the matters were immediately referred to the Coroner, Linda Virgil, “who immediately visited the locations of both events to commence her investigations.

“As the matters are now the subject of judicial inquests, public statements by me as Minister and by the Police Force, must be limited to ensure that the Inquest proceedings are not prejudiced.

But he said as the Minister responsible for National Security, “I give my personal assurance to the Bahamian people that your Government remains committed to ensuring that the constitutional rights of all its citizens and residents are protected”.