With the end of the state of emergency at midnight 17 men who had been detained in connection with alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three cabinet ministers are likely to walk free since up to Sunday night no criminal charges had been laid against them.
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan told local media the rule of law must take its course. "The rule of law must be respected and if there is insufficient evidence and charges cannot be laid they must be freed," he said. He added that it is "a matter for the judgment of the police and the DPP."
Deputy Police Commissioner Meryn Richardson told reporters he is not sure if the men will be charged. "We continue to investigate as we speak. It's engaging the attention of a lot of people right now," he said Sunday.
"If they are released, that isn't the end of the investigation and it doesn't mean that we cannot lay charges against anyone and at the appropriate time it will be done," Richardson said.
Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard insisted on Sunday that police investigating the alleged plot had not consulted him at any point in respect of filing any criminal charges.
All of them were held under the emergency regulations and the state had until midnight Sunday to lay charges or set them free.
National security Minister John Sandy signed detention orders last week to hold 16 of the men. Investigators have told media the arrests prevented any potential harm from being done.
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has accused the Government of "hysteria" in the matter and said on Friday there was no cause for raising a national alarm. However, the Prime Minister and Attorney General have both called his comments reckless and noted that he failed to disclose the author of the report he said proved that there was no imminent danger to the PM's life.
National security Minister John Sandy signed detention orders last week to hold 16 of the men. Investigators have told media the arrests prevented any potential harm from being done.
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has accused the Government of "hysteria" in the matter and said on Friday there was no cause for raising a national alarm. However, the Prime Minister and Attorney General have both called his comments reckless and noted that he failed to disclose the author of the report he said proved that there was no imminent danger to the PM's life.
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan told local media the rule of law must take its course. "The rule of law must be respected and if there is insufficient evidence and charges cannot be laid they must be freed," he said. He added that it is "a matter for the judgment of the police and the DPP."
Deputy Police Commissioner Meryn Richardson told reporters he is not sure if the men will be charged. "We continue to investigate as we speak. It's engaging the attention of a lot of people right now," he said Sunday.
"If they are released, that isn't the end of the investigation and it doesn't mean that we cannot lay charges against anyone and at the appropriate time it will be done," Richardson said.
Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard insisted on Sunday that police investigating the alleged plot had not consulted him at any point in respect of filing any criminal charges.
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