Charged for wasting police time:

A REPORT was made to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) on May 29 that Reza Larry Ackbarali, a businessman, had been kidnapped from the Valpark Shopping Plaza. A ransom of $1 million was demanded for his release, and his station wagon was found abandoned in St Joseph.

The police, acting on a tip-off, rescued Ackbarali on Thursday night at a Mayaro hotel. He was taken for medical attention and then to the AKS offices at Police Headquarters, Port-of-Spain, where he was questioned. During his time at the police station, he was charged.

Shortly after 1 pm yesterday, Ackbarali appeared before Magistrate David Harris in the Port-of-Spain Fifth Magistrates’ Court. There were no relatives in court, not even his brother Selwyn who made the plea to the “kidnappers” to release him. Only his lawyer, Thristle Khan, was in court on his behalf. The magistrate then read the charge to Ackbarali. It was alleged that on May 29 at St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, he caused the wasteful employment of the police by the making of a false report that he was kidnapped.

Harris said the offence was a summary one and asked Ackbarali how he pleaded. A soft response came: “Not guilty.”

Khan then applied for bail. She said Ackbarali was 45-years-old and lived at Pierre Road, Charlieville for the past 25 years. She said Khan was married to Ann Marie Ackbarali and had two boys, ages 14 and ten.

Khan said her client had no previous convictions nor matters pending in court. He was self-employed and the agent for Lander products in Trinidad. She said Ackbarali has a good character and an unblemished record.

Khan said Ackbarali had been in police custody since May 29, but was only charged yesterday.

“That is four days,” the magistrate added.

However, the police prosecutor said Ackbarali had only been in police custoday since Thursday. He said the offence allegedly occurred on May 29. He objected to bail and said a tracing had not been done on Khan.

Harris denied bail to Ackbarali and adjourned further hearing to Monday to decide on bail.

Ackbarali quietly followed two other prisoners to the holding cells at the court to await prisoners’ transport to the Port-of-Spain State Prison.