Even as detention orders were being served on two of the men held in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three Government Ministers, their attorneys were proceeding with habeas corpus writ applications in the High Court. The applications are seeking to force authorities to justify the continuing detention of the men. The detention orders are expected to expire on Monday, coinciding with the end of the ongoing state of emergency. One detainee, Khalil Karamath, was served with the order while his matter was being heard before Justice David Harris in the Port-of-Spain High Court.
Karamath, 23, was arrested last Wednesday at his Palm Road, Valsayn, home by officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force, led by Cpl Sunil Bharath. Karamath is the son of late contractor Hafeez Karamath. During yesterday's hearing, which was held in a closed-chamber court, attorneys representing Karamath claimed their client's detention was unlawful. Karamath was taken to the Golden Grove Prison facility where he is expected to be housed for the duration of his detention order.
The matter was adjourned to a date to be decided by the court. During a simultaneous hearing before Justice Andre des Vignes in a separate court, another application, on behalf of Ashmeed Choate, of Craignish Village, Princes Town, was adjourned to tomorrow because of the absence of State counsel, who were before Justice Harris.
Choate was brought to the court almost an hour after the matter was adjourned. Choate was served with a detention order late yesterday evening and is said to be housed at the Arouca Police Station.
Several of Choate's female relatives attended yesterday's hearing. Before they were served with detention orders under Section 3 of the Emergency Powers Regulations of 2011, both men were held for a seven days under Section 16.3 of the said regulations which allows investigators more time to continue investigations. Last week a habeas corpus application was filed on behalf of another detainee, Selwyn "Robocop" Alexis, days after his arrest. That application was later withdrawn by his attorney, Joseph Honare, after Alexis was served with a notice of continuing detention under Section 16.3 of the regulations. Karamath is being represented by a team of attorneys, including Ravi Rajcoomar, John Heath and Irshaad Ali. Rajcoomar, Rishi Dass and Faris al Rawi appeared on behalf of Choate.
Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal and attorney Larry Lalla appeared on behalf of the State in both matters.