?Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard yesterday issued a stern warning to the public at large, to be careful about the comments they make, which may tend to influence the course of criminal proceedings.
With specific reference to the pending sedition trial of Jamaat al Muslimeen leader, Yasin Abu Bakr, Gaspard said it was contrary to law and public policy for statements or utterances to be made out of court, whch they tend to affect. This is the second time that the DPP has had to issue a public warning in the same case. Two years ago, the then DPP, Geoffrey Henderson, did likewise, when there was a flurry of public comment. This week, Justice Mark Mohammed had to deal with an application for a permanent stay of Bakr's trial because of the adverse pre-trial publicity.
In his statement yesterday, Gaspard said: "The Director notes with some disquietude, the appearance in the electronic and print media of certain reports and articles which may have the potential to prejudice the due administration of justice and the accused's right to a fair trial. "The Director also hastens to remind all concerned that it is a contempt of court to publish any material capable of prejudicing active legal proceedings. Further, it is the duty of the Director to bring before the High court any matter which he thinks may amount to contempt of court and which he considers to be in the public interest to do so," Gaspard added.
Facts
?Bakr, 67, of La Puerta Road, Diego Martin, is facing charges of sedition, terrorism, incitement, and breaching the peace arising out of his sermon to commemorate Eid-ul-Fitr on November 4, 2005, at his Mucurapo Road mosque.