Judge turns down Bakr's request to postpone sedition trial; jury selection continues

Abu Bakr goes to court

Jury selection for the sedition trial of Muslimeen leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr continues Tuesday after a judge refused an application from Bakr's attorneys for a further postponement of the trial due to alleged pre-trial activity.

Justice mark Mohammed had previously granted a postponement but declared on Monday, “There has never been a better time than now for the trial.”

Bakr limped into court for the hearing, accompanied by two of his wives. During the two-hour hearing he kept his injured leg elevated according to instructions from his doctors.

He had undergone surgery to his right leg earlier this year and due to his medical condition his lawyers had successfully managed to get several adjournments of the matter to allow Bakr to recuperate.

Besides is facing sedition charges as well as charges of promoting a terrorist act, inciting others to breach the peace and inciting a riot.

All the charges stem from an Eid sermon he delivered in November 2005 at the Jamaat’s mosque at Mucurapo Road, St James.

Several hundred potential jurors have been summoned to be considered to sit on the nine-member panel, along with six alternates. The process is expected to last for the rest of the week.

Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal and prosecutor Renuka Rambhajan are representing the State.