DPP drops gun charge against Bakr

Henderson made the announcement during a bail application hearing by Bakr before Justice Prakash Moosai in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court.

Henderson indicated that after reviewing the case file, he has decided to discontinue the gun charge against Bakr.

However, the charges against two other members of the Jamaat, Tahir Ali, 19, and Alugemia Abdul Basit, 18, of Old Train Line, Cunupia, jointly charged with Bakr, remain.

Bark and his two members were charged with being in possession of a high-powered sniper rifle; 565 rounds of ammunition and one hand grenade at the Jamaat’s Mucurapo compound.

Bakr was before Moosai yesterday seeking to get bail on charges of sedition, terrorism and incitement for which he was committed to stand trial at the Port-of-Spain Assizes by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls on Thursday.

His attorneys argued that since the gun charge has been dropped, there is no reason why he should not be granted bail.

The bail application, which is still being resisted by the State, was represented yesterday by Henderson and Douglas Mendes SC.

Moosai was given a bundle of documents concerning the evidence adduced at the preliminary inquiry in the Magistrates’ Court case which he said he will study before making a decision.

Bakr’s attorney Pamela Elder SC asked that the matter be listed for hearing during the coming week, but Moosai reminded her that bail applications are only heard on Fridays, and adjourned the matter to Friday, January 27, 2006.