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December 21, 2005
Trinidad: Muslim Scholar To Testify in Trial Hearing of Islamist Leader
We mentioned how 64-year old Yasin Abu Bakr, (pictured left), leader of the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen Islamic group, had been charged for incitement and sedition on November 10, with an additional charge of terrorism added on November 22.
These charges derived from a Friday sermon he had given on November 4 at the Jamaat Mosque in Mucurapo Road, in St James district on the outskirts of Port of Spain. In this sermon, which was ostensibly to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, the ending of the holy month of Ramadan, Bakr said that if he did not receive sufficient zakaat (tithes or donations), there would be "bloodshed and war".
Bakr's trial has already begun its preliminary inquiry. Today, the Jamaica Observer reports that an Islamic scholar is being brought to the hearing to testify and give comments.
The authorities cited security concerns for withholding the name of the expert in the Koran, but he will be flown into Trinidad and Tobago to give evidence.
According to the Trinidad Express on December 13th, senator Noble Khan, a former president of the Inter-Religious Organisation, gave evidence against Bakr. Yesterday, the Trinidadian Newsday reported that on Tuesday, Inspector Christopher Holder, who arrested Bakr on November 7th, gave evidence at the pre-trial hearing.
Trinidad Express reported that the final witness at the hearing will be the Islamic professor. Senior counsel, Douglas Mended stated that the professor should have been at the court on Tuesday, but was currently marking examination papers. He apologised, and said the professor would be arriving shortly. Defence attorney Pamela Elder, SC said she understood the position of the state, and did not object to the adjournment.
Bakr and his organisation, the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen have come under close scrutiny, since four bombs were detonated in the environs of Port of Spain, between July 12 and Friday 14 October. After the last attack, Bakr was taken into custody on suspicion of organising the attacks. He was released on October 16.
The reason why Bakr and his group drew suspicion was because of a coup which they mounted against the government in 1990, which left 24 people dead. Bakr and his followers attempted to depose the government of the then prime minister Arthur N.R. Robinson. Bakr and 114 followers had initially surrendered after they were offered amnesty. The government withdrew the offer, prosecuted Bakr and his followers, but upon appeal, the charges were dropped.
After Bakr's arrest on November 7, police and army moved into Bakr's Jamaat-al-Muslimeen compound on November 12. Up to 11 members of the group were arrested but later freed. Bakr's office was bulldozed. A search of the floor uncovered a rifle and ammunition, and a grenade.
Currently, Bakr is being held in prison, but his luck from 1990 may soon desert him. On Wednesday, December 14th, the Director of Prosecutions was awaiting a decision from the Criminal Registrar concerning a case from March this the year.
Bakr had been accused of conspiracy to murder two people who were expelled from Jamaat-al-Muslimeen, but the jury in the trial was hung in its decision.
On Thursday, the Express noted that the case of Bakr's retrial for this case will recommence in January, when a preliminary hearing will be held before a High Court judge.
A nine-member jury which heard evidence against the 64-year-old Imam returned with a verdict split 6-3, on March 16 and trial judge Mark Mohammed had ordered Bakr to face a retrial.Bakr was charged with conspiring to murder two expelled members of his Mucurapo Road mosque, Salim "Small Salim" Rasheed and Zaki Aubaidah, his son-in-law on June 4, 2003, at Citrine Drive, Diego Martin.
Gunmen shot and wounded Rasheed and another man hours after the order to kill the men was allegedly made by Bakr. Jilla Bowen, was also killed in the attack at the crowded MovieTowne cineplex, at Invader's Bay, off Audrey Jeffers Highway, in Port of Spain.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at December 21, 2005 3:56 PM
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