State moves to collect $30M from Jamaat

Ten of the properties are owned by imprisoned Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr. The other property is owned by the Jamaat’s second-in-command Kala Akii Bua. All 11 properties were assessed at $9,581,000.

The summons is to be served on Bakr at the Port-of-Spain State Prison, and on Akii Bua whose address was listed as 1 Mucurapo Road, St James.

The State has identified Bakr’s properties in La Puerta, Diego Martin; Guayaguayare; Dibe, Long Circular; Couva (four properties); Marabella; Mucurapo; and Park Avenue, Queen’s Park East. Akii Bua’s property was identified as a place called "Zorro" in Las Cuevas.

Although the Jamaat and 114 members were named as defendants, the action was taken out against 58 known Muslimeen persons.

On July 25, 1994, the State sued the Jamaat for damages for destruction of Police Headquarters which was firebombed on the evening of July 27, 1990, during the Jamaat’s attempt to overthrow the country. The Red House which was invaded by the insurgents was also damaged during the coup attempt.

On September 16, 1996, the State entered judgment against the Jamaat. On January 15, 2001, Justice Joseph Tam, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, assessed damages in the sum of $15 million with interest and costs.

The 58 Jamaat members filed a notice of appeal on February 16, 2001, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on May 10, 2002. The judgment remains unsatisfied to the extent of $29,172,168.60 with interest accruing at $6,480.30 per day. The judgment was registered on September 9, 2002, and re-registered on September 6, 2005.

The Office of the Chief State Solicitor then began searches of the Registrar General’s Department to locate properties/assets in an attempt to satisfy the five-year judgment of the High Court.

So far, the State has been able to locate 11 properties belonging to the two most senior members of the Jamaat. The property located at Queen’s Park East has been valued at $2,250,000.

Arising out of the attempted coup, the Jamaat sued the State for damages for destruction of buildings at Mucurapo Road. The Jamaat was awarded $2.1 million in damages and costs which were paid by the State.

Bakr, 64, is in prison awaiting trial for conspiracy to murder as well as sedition, incitement and terrorism arising out of his sermon at Eid celebrations at his Mucurapo Mosque on November 4, 2005.