Verdict tomorrow for Trinis in Venezuela

Newsday was told last evening that the judge hearing their case gave a summation yesterday afternoon and has indicated to the men to return to the court tomorrow for her decision.

The men are optimistic that since no evidence was found against them for suspected terrorist activities or espionage they will be released and repatriated to Trinidad and Tobago as soon as possible.

They had been advised to plead to the lesser charge of espionage, for which the sentence is three years, but they have refused. They have already spent two and a half years in detention.

The judge wrapped up the proceedings on August 18.

Last month one of the detainees had told Newsday that the police gave statements in which there was no evidence against them to be charged for terrorist activity in Venezuela, and there were no more witnesses coming forward to testify.

The detainees, Wade Charles, Dominic Petilal, Asim Luqman, Andre Battersby and Leslie Daisley, were held along with their wives and children who were subsequently released and returned to Trinidad.

They had gone to Venezuela to obtain visas to travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca. Since their detention, their families have been pleading with the previous People’s Partnership administration and the current Government to intervene and assist in having the men released.

Family members have reported time and time again that the men were frustrated and at their wits end, not only because of being wrongfully accused, but because they were in need of medical treatment and food. In addition, their families at home have been suffering emotionally.