Exactly one month after their dramatic arrest over an alleged plot to assassinate the Prime Minister and members of the Government—a case that sparked an intense legal battle culminating before the Privy Council—businessman Dominic Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve, were freed yesterday.The stunning and unexpected development came in a media release issued under the hand of Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, who disclosed he had revoked the preventative detention orders (PDOs) under which the Hadeeds were being held.
PROVIDING UPDATE: Friend of the Hadeed family businessman Peter George speaks to reporters outside their Bayshore residence in Westmoorings yesterday after they were released. —Photo: ROBERT TAYLOR
According to Alexander, keeping the Hadeeds imprisoned until the end of the state of emergency would be disproportionate, particularly in light of medical concerns surrounding Hadeed and a Review Tribunal’s finding that their continued detention was no longer necessary or expedient in the public interest.However, while they will no longer be imprisoned, the police criminal investigation involving the Hadeeds will continue, with the minister disclosing that “investigations have been expanded beyond the original scope and spans multiple jurisdictions”.He said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) had assured him the Hadeeds would remain under monitoring and surveillance following their release, and that measures had been implemented to protect those allegedly targeted.He added that security measures have also been put in place in relation to those allegedly facing threats.“Further, steps have been implemented to ensure that the safety of those subject to the threat is in no way compromised and any risk is contained,” Alexander said.The minister said he expects the Hadeeds, despite their release, to cooperate with all law enforcement agencies involved in the continuing investigation.From High Court to Privy CouncilSince June 24, when the Hadeeds were first arrested at their Bayshore, Westmooringsm home, they have waged a legal battle challenging their detention. That fight began in the High Court, moved to the Court of Appealm and eventually reached the Privy Council.Earlier yesterday, the Privy Council indicated it would not be rushed into dealing with the appeal and that the matter would be heard in October.Hours later, just before 3 p.m., Alexander issued the release announcing the Hadeeds’ freedom.Dominic Hadeed, 52, was detained at the Golden Grove Prison, while his wife, 42, was held at the Golden Grove Women’s Prison.Their relative, Star Sabga, 69, who was arrested on June 25 as part of the investigation into the alleged conspiracy to kill, remains imprisoned at the Golden Grove Women’s Prison. Her matter is expected to be heard today.In the media release, Alexander detailed the reasons for his decision to revoke the PDOs, noting it came after considering all the circumstances, including a July 21 medical report detailing Hadeed’s condition and the treatment plan recommended by his medical specialist, as well as the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council’s decision not to hear the State’s substantive appeal on an expedited basis.The minister stressed, however, that the criminal investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and senior members of her Government remains ongoing, and has now expanded beyond its original scope into multiple jurisdictions.Alexander noted the Hadeeds were arrested by the TTPS on June 24 as part of the criminal investigation into the alleged assassination plot.Three days later, on June 27, Alexander exercised his powers under the Emergency Powers Regulations 2026 and issued a PDO against each of them.The minister said that since issuing the orders, he had kept the legality and justification for their continued detention under review to ensure it remained in accordance with the law.A significant development came on July 19 when the Review Tribunal, established under Section 11(1) of the Constitution, recommended the Hadeeds’ continued detention was “not necessary or expedient in the public interest”.Two days later, Alexander said he received a medical report concerning Hadeed.The report, he said, detailed Hadeed’s medical condition as well as the care plan his medical specialist considered necessary to address it.Alexander did not disclose the specific medical condition or details of the recommended treatment.He said, however, that he carefully considered the report and sought advice concerning Hadeed’s condition and the treatment he required.The minister also disclosed he requested Hadeed’s consent to be examined by an independent medical specialist appointed by the State, but Hadeed refused.“In the discharge of my constitutional duty as Minister of Homeland Security, I am required to balance the detainee’s right to liberty and the protection of the law with the need to preserve and protect public safety during a public state of emergency,” Alexander said.The minister said he was also advised that the criminal investigation had grown significantly in scope.“I have been advised that the investigations have been expanded beyond the original scope and spans multiple jurisdictions. These matters are complex and require extensive cooperation between several investigative agencies,” he said.Alexander said local and international law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation continue to work on the matter.Despite the ongoing investigation, the minister said the circumstances now weighed in favour of releasing the couple.“I have determined that the balance, at the present time, having regard to all of the relevant circumstances, is in favour of release of the detainees,” Alexander said.A key consideration was the Privy Council’s decision not to expedite the substantive appeal arising from the legal battle over the couple’s detention.Alexander said in practical terms, the existing stay on freedom granted in favour of the State could have resulted in the Hadeeds remaining imprisoned until the end of the state of emergency while the appeal awaited determination.“I recognise that continuing detention in those circumstances would be disproportionate,” Alexander said in the statement.It was against that backdrop that Alexander revoked both PDOs.
