Bakr’s Eid sermon aired in court

The statements, delivered during his Eid sermon on November 4 at the Mucurapo Mosque, resulted in Bakr being charged with three counts of incitement and one of sedition. Last week, three policemen gave evidence for the prosecution.

The fourth witness for the prosecution was Mano Ragbir, a cameraman employed with CNC 3 television station. He has been employed with the new television for the past three months. Previously, he worked with TV6 for 14 years, and at AVM Television.

Ragbir was the cameraman assigned to the Jamaat Mosque on November 4 where 64-year-old Bakr gave the feature address — his annual sermon to 350 to 400 worshippers.

Yesterday, Ragbir gave his evidence-in-chief before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court. After the formalities, Ragbir’s tape was played before a packed court and in the presence of the accused.

A television set was mounted in court. However, only the magistrate and the lawyers were able to see the television set. Mc Nicolls then asked Bakr if he could see. Before Bakr could answer, Mc Nicolls said he was willing to allow the Jamaat leader to sit at the Bar table. But that never materialised as Bakr said he was able to see from the dock.

The tape rolled at 3.05 pm and the airing was completed at 4.25 pm. After Ragbir completed his evidence, Mc Nicolls then called on lead defence attorney Theodore Guerra SC to begin his cross-examination.

However, Guerra said he wanted to start fresh on the next occasion. Hearing was then adjourned to Thursday. Douglas Mendes SC and Dana Seetahal are prosecuting.