Bakr defies subpoena; matter referred to DPP

Yasin Abu Bakr is continuing to refuse to appear before the commission investigating the failed 1990 coup which he led. On Wednesday his attorney told the commission Bakr will continue to defy the subpoena issued by the Commission of Enquiry until the sedition trial he is facing in another matter is over. 

Based on that Commission chairman Sir David Simmons referred the matter to the DPP “for such action as he may consider appropriate”. Bakr faces a $2,000 fine if convicted for refusing to testify.

A letter to the commission from Bakr was read to the commission in which the Muslimeen leader sought to implicate several people including DPP Roger Gaspard, Sir David, Commission counsel Avory Sinanan and Jagdeo Singh, former prime ministers Patrick Manning and Basdeo Panday, and former national security minister Herbert Atwell. 

He said he has no faith in any undertaking given by Gaspard in reference to a statement to the Commission by Gaspard that nothing said by Bakr at the Enquiry would be used against him in his sedition trial.

His letter also cited what he said were broken promises made to him by Government officials, including two prime ministers.

“With that track record, do you really expect me to believe anything coming from the mouth of a State official whose purpose is to imprison me for my religious beliefs?” Bakr asked.

The issues he raised were that:

• The State had reneged on an assurance given with the amnesty in 1990 that members of the Jamaat would not be prosecuted
• Two prime ministers promised that the State would not enforce the civil judgment against him
• Prime Minister Manning reneged on a promise that he would give the Jamaat the lands at Mucurapo

Bakr also said the State is prosecuting him for delivering a sermon that was based on "the Holy Quran and the Haddiths" calling the prosecution a malicious and a shamefaced attempt "to punish me for 1990 after the failed attempt to do so”. 

Bakr suggested that “whilst Messrs Manning and Panday are still alive, it might be helpful to ask them both how they knew to be absent (from the Parliament) on July 27, 1990. That's the date Bakr and his followers stormed the Parliament and took hostages. At the same time they took control of the state television station and announced the coup.

The latter added: "May I also suggest that you enquire of former government minister Herbert Atwell whilst he is still alive, details of his short-lived interaction with deceased woman Police Constable Bernadette James, and to enquire of him whether he could be of any help in telling her story.”

Bakr also said that when the time comes for him to testify he wants the Commission to hire a a lawyer of his choice because he has no faith in the commission's lawyers. He also asked for transcripts of the evidence taken so far "so that I can address all issues raised.” 

The Commission’s hearings have been adjourned to October 15.