Special arrangements were made yesterday at the Port-of-Spain High Court in preparation for the start of the trial against Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr for sedition. The jury selection process for a nine-member jury with approximately six alternates is expected to begin at 9 am today before Justice Mark Mohammed in the Third Assizes Court. Attorneys representing Bakr and the State are expected to pick the jurors from a pool of more than 700 people who will attend court today. Because of the unusually large juror pool for the case, potential jurors are to be housed in the Convocation Hall of the Hall of Justice. Television monitors and video conferencing equipment were installed at the hall over the weekend in preparation for the start of the trial which has in the past been adjourned on several occasions by Mohammed because of pre-trial publicity.
Attorneys representing the State and Bakr were taken on a tour of the temporary facilities yesterday by court administration personnel and were said to be pleased with the arrangements. In addition to sedition, Bakr also faces four other charges, including promoting a terrorist act, inciting others to breach the peace and inciting a riot. The charges stem from a Eid sermon delivered by Bakr in November 2005, at the Jamaat's mosque located at Mucurapo Road, St James. Bakr, also known as Lennox Phillip, 68, is said to be suffering from deep vein thrombosis and a damaged ankle, with his right leg being held in a plaster cast. Attorneys representing Bakr are expected to request special accommodation for him because of his medical condition.
Because of the high-profile nature of Bakr's case and others which are continuing simultaneously, increased security is expected within the Assizes. A metal detector and a security check-point was seen yesterday outside the entrance to the courtroom where the matter will be heard.
Last year, Mohammed reserved two weeks for the jury selection process, after which Bakr's trial is scheduled to begin. However, attorneys representing Bakr, led by British Queen's Counsel Martin Hicks and defence attorney Wayne Sturge, are expected to apply for a further stay of execution for the trial on the basis of continuing pre-trial publicity.
On June 28 last year, Bakr, who was initially due to testify at the commission of enquiry into the July 27, 1990, attempted coup, declined through his attorneys. The commission, chaired by Sir David Simmons, was told that Bakr would only be willing to testify at the inquiry after his court matter before Mohammed is completed. The commission of enquiry is due to resume on January 13. Bakr is also being represented by Naveen Maraj and Viveka Pargass. The State will be represented by special prosecutor Dana Seetahal, SC, and state prosecutor Renuka Rambhajan.