Media Release:
Re: Treatment meted out to our returning Nationals.
Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) continues to observe, with great concern - the response of the State following the return of five T&T citizens, who were previously detained in Venezuela for 32 months. We are calling on the AG Police Commissioner; Stephen Williams and the Police Service's Professional Standards Bureau to investigate and Call to account the behaviour, actions and decision of all the officers who detained without due process and questioned our returning nationals from Venezuela.
The public has a right to know that after billions of dollars have been pumped into the National Security apparatus over the past 15 years, there was not an iota of a coherent response from the authorities, with respect to any formal interrogation or informal debrief exercise. Instead, a number of named police officers sought to intimidate the returning citizens, by asking irrelevant, prejudicial, ignorant and un-researched questions about Islam in general and Jihad in particular. This was demeaning and is being viewed as religious discrimination.
This lack of respect having no regards for value and honesty would not be tolerated by the Muslim community and by extension the citizens of this twin island state. The police service showed no compassion and had no empathy to the plight of the families and love-ones who after being drained of their wealth and striped of their rights and self-worth were made to wait and suffer for hours on end to be reunited with their love-ones.
It is indeed laughable that after all this time, law enforcement is unable to carry out a simple fact-finding interview and/or psychological assessment of a civilian. This is not what 21st century policing is all about; its part of a backward decadent mentality that holds the recipe for failure.
With respect to the matter involving Wade Charles. Why were not the family informed of his situation beforehand? Why were they attempting to take him away secretly to San Fernando? This obviously brings into question the public trust and faith in the police service. The police by their actions eroded our confidence placed in them. We are prepared not to let this matter rest until an apology is given and the proper mechanisms are put in place to address the needs and the plight of our returning nationals.
Note: Wade Charles was released on bail yesterday; Wednesday 30th November 2016.
For Immediate Release:
Date: 1st December 2016
Umar Abdullah
Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic front)
Tel: +18687870765 or +18683656253
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