By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Businesswoman Star Sabga has been released from Prison!
Shortly before midnight on Monday, Sabga, 69, was released from the Women’s Prison at Golden Grove State Prison, Arouca.
She had been in prison since June 25 when she was arrested by police on a warrant. A Preventive Detention Order was later served on her.
Sabga left the prison after the stay, which expired at 11.20 p.m, was not extended against the earlier ruling of Justice Vigel Paul.
She was then escorted by police officers to her Regents Park, Westmoorings home, where she was placed under house arrest in accordance with the conditions imposed by the court.
On Monday afternoon, Justice Paul ordered the immediate release of the businesswoman. But she did not walk out of the prison. The same judge granted a stay of her release to the State for six hours in the event they want to file an appeal. That stay ran out at 11.20 pm on Monday.
However Sabga’s release comes conditions. Under the order, Sabga must remain confined to her residence under police supervision. She is required to surrender her passport and electronic devices, cannot leave her home except in the event of a medical emergency, and is prohibited from communicating with persons outside the residence except for her attorneys, medical personnel and approved family members. Police officers are also permitted to enter the premises at reasonable times to ensure compliance with the order.
Star Sabga has not been charged with any offence.
In delivering an oral ruling around 5.20 p.m on Monday, Justice Paul said the court had jurisdiction to grant interim relief in the constitutional proceedings.
He added, “I agree with attorneys for the applicant the court has the power to decide on interim relief.”
Addressing the State’s reliance on national security concerns, Justice Paul said: “The mere assertion of a threat to national security does not usurp the powers of the court.”
Justice Paul said he did not underestimate the alleged threat to the Prime Minister and members of the Government but stressed that the allegation had to be measured against the evidence before the court.
He noted that Sabga was a 69-year-old woman of good character and said there was an absence of evidence placing her in any conspiracy.
Referring to an audio recording relied on by the State, the judge said, “On the material placed before me, as far as the alleged conspiracy ends with that conversation.”
Justice Paul also observed that Dominic and Genevieve Hadeed, whom the State had previously identified as alleged co-conspirators, had since been released. They were released last Thursday after Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, revoked the PDOs.
The judge declared, “The court cannot see how the continued detention of this elderly applicant could be necessary for the disruption of the alleged conspiracy.”
