Bakr conducts ‘Juma’ at Hall of Justice

JAMAAT Al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr conducted his Friday prayer service at the Hall of Justice after he was refused permission by Justice Mark Mohammed to leave the building to carry out “Juma” (Islamic prayers) at his Mucurapo Road headquarters. Bakr proceeded to the southern end of the first floor and conducted the religious service for his followers and two of his wives. The service which lasted about half an hour was also addressed by Bakr himself in the presence of both uniformed and plainclothes police officers. Bakr used the luncheon adjournment to conduct the service after the judge turned down an application by Bakr’s attorney Pamela Elder SC to adjourn the questioning of potential jurors to allow her client to go to Mucurapo Road.

Elder had raised the matter earlier this week, but yesterday she upped the tempo by specifically asking the judge to allow Bakr to perform his religious rights, he being an Imam. Justice Mohammed intervened, “what concerns me, is that while I must respect the religious observances of the accused, I have to balance the situation with respect to the prospective jurors who have been coming here faithfully all week.” Elder wanted the case to end by midday. Justice Mohammed then asked how long “Juma” would take. Bakr rose from the dock and said it would end by 2 pm. The judge then asked, “is it that this application will be made every Friday?” Elder replied, “if the jury is sequestered, they will have no personal commitments to attend to.

We are willing to work extra hours so that the accused can go and perform his religious duties.” Justice Mohammed then ruled that having regard to the number of potential jurors present, he had a duty to balance the situation. He said he could not facilitate the request on this occasion, but he promised to review the matter on a Friday by Friday basis. Justice Mohammed then adjourned for the luncheon period. Bakr left the courtroom and met his two wives and a number of followers in the foyer of the first floor. He took everyone by surprise by going to the southern end of the floor and conducted his service for his followers. It did not go as long as the one he conducts at Mucurapo Road. This one was completed in half an hour and in time for the resumption of the questioning of the potential jurors.

Meanwhile, 13 potential jurors were questioned yesterday, but just one was sworn in. This brought to six the number of jurors sworn to hear the case. The other 12 were either challenged for cause, or challenged peremptorily, or exempted. The court needs three more to complete the nine-member panel, and another four as alternates. Justice Mohammed reminded the potential jurors yesterday that the process could take another few days before the court embarks on hearing the evidence. Hearing will continue on Monday. Bakr, 63, is charged with conspiring with Brent “Big Brent” Miller, David “Buffy” Millard, Dwight, Crock, Skins, and Damien, on June 4, 2003 at Citrine Drive, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin, to murder Salim Rasheed and Zaki Aubaidah. Owen Hinds Jr assists Elder, while Sir Timothy Cassel QC, DPP Geoffrey Henderson, and State attorneys Wayne Rajbansie and George Busby represent the State.