Rahael breaks his silence on killing of Koury

Addressing the House of Representatives yesterday, Rahael expressed the pain he felt at the loss of Koury, whom he described as "a respected son of the soil."

The minister was making a contribution during the debate of a motion by Government to have the House take note of Government’s efforts to combat crime.

"My pain is real and raw," the minister said, adding that he still had "visions of his (Koury’s) gruesome face that are painfully vivid."

He said he supposed time would take away the pain, but noted that his loss was "permanent and final."

According to Rahael, personal security measures could not prevent crime from reaching its intended target. His nephew, he said, had been locked in his office on the morning of September 21, when his abductors literally knocked on his door. Koury’s headless body was found two days later at the Palmiste Cemetery in Central Trinidad. His head has still not been found.

According to Rahael, the crime situation is ripping our country apart and it is time that we unite and reclaim Trinidad and Tobago from the demonic grip of a minority.

The Health Minister, who admitted that he was angry, said just as the causes of crime were many, varied and complex, the solutions were multi-dimensional. What is needed, Rahael said, is the input of every citizen.

He criticised the House for remaining divided on much needed legislation, while "1.3 million people are being held hostage by a few seasoned and hardened criminals." He said a self-imposed curfew has been adopted by citizens of all walks in life, since crime has become no respecter of persons.

The minister slammed the Opposition for its refusal to support the Police Reform Bill and the Bill that sought to deny bail to kidnappers. Rahael insisted that the House needed to pass whatever legislation was required to deal with the issue. "All 36 of us were elected to do that," he said, adding that the Keith Noel Committee’s recent "Death March" was not against Government, but against Parliament.

He accused the Opposition of wasting time by insisting on constitutional reform while the nation was crying out for a solution to the crime problem.