One day after the State was ordered to pay $.4 million in compensation to a man arrested during the State of Emergency (SoE) on gang-related charges, the State has signalled its intention to appeal.Kevin Stewart won his claim for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution stemming from his arrest under the Anti Gang Legislation during the 2011 SoE.
Ruling in his favour on Tuesday, Justice Joan Charles found that the police had no evidence and fabricated the case against Stewart.A release from the Office of the Attorney General yesterday stated: "The Attorney General of T&T has been advised by his attorneys, including eminent Senior Counsel, that there are substantial grounds for appeal. In the circumstances, a Notice of Appeal will soon be filed seeking the urgent hearing of this matter."
Stewart was arrested and charged with being a gang member involved in trafficking narcotics in August 2011. However, the State discontinued the case a month later because of insufficient evidence.In the hard-hitting judgment, Charles accused ASP Mohammed and ACP Frederick of "gross dereliction of duty," and a junior officer "of lying and of having an improper motive for arresting Stewart."
Stewart was represented by attorney Kevin Ratiram.