Three hundred more potential jurors are likely to be added to the jury pool (from which selection will be made) for the sedition trial of Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr. Legal sources said court summonses were dispatched to the potential jurors yesterday, bringing the number of people summoned for scrutiny to more than 1,000. The latest group of potential jurors is expected to appear at the Port-of-Spain High Court next Monday as the selection process continues.
On Wednesday, at the first hearing, more than 200 of the potential jurors were exempted from jury service in the matter after being individually interviewed by Justices Mark Mohammed and Hayden St Clair-Douglas. Bakr, who was absent on Wednesday complaining of a foot ailment, is expected to make his first appearance when the case continues on Monday.
Legal sources revealed that special seating arrangements in the prisoner enclosure will be finalised next week for Bakr's appearance given his medical condition.
Because of the unusually large pool of potential jurors, special arrangements were made with the jurors being housed at the Convocation Hall at the Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Port-of-Spain. Cameras, large screen television displays and video conferencing equipment have been installed to provide communication between the Third Assize Court, where the case is being heard, and the potential jurors. Exempted jurors were discharged on the grounds that they personally know Bakr, his family and/or witnesses in the matter. Bakr, originally Lennox Phillip, 68, is before Mohammed on a five-count indictment including sedition, promoting a terrorist act and inciting others to breach the peace.
The charges stem from a November 2005 Eid ul Fitr sermon delivered at the Jamaat's Mucurapo Road, St James mosque. The matter is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal, while Bakr's legal team includes Queen's Counsel Martin Hicks and Wayne Sturge. Hicks is due to arrive in Trinidad later today in time for the start of proceedings.