State plans to go after other Jamaat members to collect debt

The government of Trinidad and Tobago will continue efforts to recover millions of dollars owing to the state by members of the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen.

On Tuesday, the state sold properties owned by Jamaat leader yasin Abu Bakr but was only able to get $5.2 million of the $43.3 million owed to the state for the destruction of properties during the failed 1990 coup that Bakr led.

Read the story: Abu Bakr's wife, son buy 2 properties in state auction

Special Prosecutor Dana Seetahal, who was in charge of the auction, told local media she plans to go after the properties of more than 50 members of the Jamaat who actively participated in the attempted coup.

"There is nothing to prevent the State from enforcing the judgment against...more than 50 defendants who have already been served, once property is located," Seetahal said.

A total of 114 Jamaat members who were involved in the attempted coup are listed as debtors in documents filed at the High Court. So far, 57 of them have been served with legal notices.

Judgment was entered against the Jamaat and 57 of its members on September 16, 1996. The debt continues to grow daily by $6,480.30 .

"The State never intended to raise $42 million. That would not have been realistic. The State is pleased to be able to move on the matter, enforce a judgment from the court and maintain the rule of law," Seetahal told the paper.

She said an independent valuator determined in June last year that the properties that have been sold were valued at just over $8.3 million.

"Due to the drop in property prices over the past year and the fact that it was a public auction, the State is satisfied that the auction was successful," she said.