State wants to sell his house

Bakr made his protest during the "cause list" hearing of his charge of conspiracy to murder. He told Volney that he was not ready to proceed with his trial because he was unable to retain a lawyer to defend him. He indicated that the reason for his financial handicap was that the State was moving to sell his property, and his resources are stretched.

The State recently attempted to enforce a High Court judgment to collect damages from Bakr as a result of destruction to Police Headquarters and the Red House during the Jamaat’s insurrection in July 1990. Damages to these two properties were estimated at about $30 million.

Bakr, who has three wives and 15 children, was before Volney in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court where the cause list hearings were taking place. He asked the judge to adjourn the matter.

Volney told Bakr that if he is unable to retain an attorney, he, Bakr, can apply to Legal Aid for one. On the last occasion when his matter came up on the cause list, he also sought an adjournment on the grounds that he did not have a lawyer. These hearings are held for the judge to determine if the matter is ready for trial, and set a date.

Bakr and David "Buffy" Millard are charged with conspiracy to murder Salim Rasheed and Zaki Aubidah on June 4, 2003, at Citrine Drive, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin. The State was represented by Director of Public Prosecutions, Geoffrey Henderson.

The matter was adjourned to the cause list hearing of March 23, 2006.