Detention orders for 7 alleged assassinsPublished: Wed, 2011-11-30 20:23
Geisha Kowlessar & Derek Achong Selwyn Alexis, also known as “Robocop”, a businessman of Francois Street, Enerprise, Chaguanas is one of the detainees. The State has identified seven alleged assassins involved in a conspiracy to kill Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three of her Cabinet colleagues. Five others have been named in a plot to destabilised Trinidad and Tobago and cause major panic. Up to late yesterday, another suspect, held in east Port-of-Spain, was being questioned by police in connection with the plot. Detention orders for the 12 suspects were served yesterday at police stations in north Trinidad. Although the detention order stated the 12 detainees were to be house at the Eastern Detection Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre at Santa Rosa, Arima, it was learnt they were instead sent to the Golden Grove Prison, Arouca
The orders were enacted under the Emergency Powers Regulations 2011, made by National Security Minister John Sandy, in accordance with paragraph two of the regulations.
On Monday, at a National Security Ministry press briefing, Sandy revealed there were 13 people involved in the plot. The detention orders were drafted and served on the suspects late yesterday. The final suspect is expected to be served with a similar order today. The T&T Guardian was reliably informed, however, that the detainees have maintained their innocence. While the hunt is on for more suspects believed to be associated in the plot to assassinate Persad-Bissessar, senior investigators, however, have expressed doubt whether criminal charges could in fact be laid against those detained. Police sources said yesterday they believed other people, mainly from the Central area, could assist them with unearthing fresh information.
Investigators said they were hoping they could obtain tangible evidence before the state of emergency expired on Monday so that charges could be laid. “Right now we are working with what we have and that’s the best we could do. We believe we have the people we need at this point. “As we continue our investigations we believe there may be other people who can help us and we will be looking for them,” one senior investigator said. The alleged plot is believed to have stemmed from intelligence officers intercepting telephone conversations. Investigators said Ashmeed Choate, the Islamic scholar of Calcutta No 1, Freeport was the first person to be served with the detention order. He was arrested at his home by Special Branch officers last Tuesday. Prisons sources said the first batch of people sent to prison, via a detention order, were insurrectionists involved in the attempted 1990 coup. Prisons officials also added that the detainees would be treated like any other inmate, adding that no special treatment would be afforded to them.Contacted yesterday Gary Griffith, national security advisor to Persad-Bissessar, said security continued to be very heightened around the Prime Minister.
List of detainees:
• Selwyn Alexis, also known as “Robocop”, a businessman of Francois Street, Enerprise, Chaguanas.
• Yohann Cruickshank, also called “Wally”, of Mayers Lane, Chrissie Terrace, Longdenville, Chaguanas.
• David Millard, also known as “Buffy”, of 64, La Baja Road, Maracas, St Joseph.
• Andy Brown, also called “Sudan”, of Green and King Streets, Plymouth, Tobago.
• Police Sergeant Earl Elie, of Sampson Trace, off Cunupia Road, Cunupia. He was last assigned to the St Clair Police Station.
• William Taylor, also known as “Billy”, of Cumuto Main Road, Wallerfield, Cumuto.
• Bryan Barrington, also called “Soldier Barry”, of 20, Partap Trace, South Oropouche. Barrington is a former member of the Defence Force and was dishonourably discharged from the service.
• Khalil Karamath. of 30, Palm Road, Valsayn North, Valsayn. Karamath is the son of late contractor Hafeez Karamath.
• Shane Crawford, also called “Asadullah”, of
349 Dass Branch Trance, Enterprise.
• Milton Algernon, also called Fareed Mustapha ,of 34, Hibiscus Arc Road, Rio Claro. Algernon is a member of the T&T Sheep and Goat Farmers’ Association.
• Chionesu Luqman, also called Asim Cuffie, and also called Salim Luqman, of Mon Repos, Upper Malick, Morvant, and of Thomas Trace, East Dry River, Port-of-Spain ,and of St Margaret’s Lane, Belmont.
• Ashmeed Choate, an Islamic scholar, of Craignish Road, Princes Town.