Court sits on Christmas Day

Espinosa was detained by Immigration officers on Wednesday last after it was allegedly discovered that he was in possession of falsified documents.

His attorney, Criston Williams, filed a writ of Habeas Corpus aimed at securing his release.

Presiding in the matter yesterday was Justice James Aboud who said,”The state has the right, under the law, to detain persons, and those persons have the right to seek redress.

I felt that the liberty of this man is important enough, not just for him but for us as well.” Aboud noted that these rights are available to all, at any time and at any day.

The court heard that Espinosa came to Trinidad to holiday with friends during the period September to December and sought an extension.

On December 21, when he went to San Fernando Port at Kings Wharf to return to his home, Immigration officers allegedly found that the extension for his stay was obtained fraudulently. He was detained at the Immigration Detention Centre waiting to be charged for the offence.

Williams wrote to the Immigration Department requesting an explanation as to why he was detained and not allowed to leave the country.

Yesterday, Immigration Officer Fareed Abraham told the court that investigators found the extension document to be fraudulent. Aboud, satisfied with the evidence provided, ordered that Espinosa continue to be detained at the Immigration Detention Centre.

While charges have not yet been laid, he is expected to be prosecuted by police officers for being in possession of fraudulent documents.

Williams commended Aboud for the court’s adherence do duty, but Aboud cut him short saying, “You are editorialising right now and I am sure that we all have Christmas cake to eat.” The matter was adjourned to a date to be fixed in January