Government has applied to have the court declare yet another national, Milton John Algernon, as a “listed entity” — terrorist—and have his funds frozen under anti-terrorism laws.
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi confirmed this after the state filed documents concerning Algernon in court last Friday. A date for the matter, already assigned to a judge, is pending.
Algernon was among persons described on an intelligence list as having gone to Syria in 2013 to join the Islamic State terror network. He was 38 then.
The list–obtained by the T&T Guardian in April 2016–stated that Algernon was “killed in battle in the second week of July 2015.”
Al-Rawi spoke about T&T’s anti-terrorism efforts as he issued sympathies to the British people following Saturday night’s third terrorist attack in Britain in as many months.
Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie has said there were so far no reports of T&T nationals killed or injured in the London attack.
Al-Rawi added yesterday: “Our full, continued support is committed to the people of England. We continue to join them in the war against terrorism and will do everything in our small but important part to stand frontline in the issue.”
Among T&T’s own latest developments, he said, is the move to have Algernon declared a “listed entity.” This follows work among a number of local and foreign security and intelligence agencies.
Algernon was a former director of the T&T Agricultural Society and vice president of the Sheep and Goat Farmers’ Association. His address was listed as Rio Claro, but he was also listed as living at Cunupia. The latter address was also given for onetime Enterprise resident Shane “Asadullah” Crawford, with whom Algernon was charged in 2010 for possession of a large cache of arms and ammunition. Algernon, a father of six was reported to have two wives who were pregnant at the time.
Crawford was listed by intelligence agencies as departing for ISIS in 2013. He was sanctioned by the United States in March for alleged ISIS involvement. The US reported he was killed in air strikes against ISIS last October. Government subsequently obtained a court order deeming Crawford aka “Abu Sa’d al-Trinidadi” a “listed entity” and freezing his assets.
Crawford was the 341st individual or entity listed by T&T under anti-terrorism law.
Algernon and Crawford were among five alleged to have been assassins in an alleged plot by 13 people to kill former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bisssessar in 2011.
Al-Rawi said further proposed anti-terrorism amendments will tackle some aspects which British Prime Minister Theresa May advocated following Saturday’s London attack. May said Britain has been too tolerant of extremism and advocated stronger measures, including for Internet giants to stop providing a “safe space” for extremism. • See Editorial on Page A16
Al-Rawi said, “Our anti-terrorism amendments now before Parliament target persons receiving training or giving training (for terrorist activities) via the Internet in various ways. It includes taking action against parties hosting the offending material.
“We can, as a result of the crime, get the Internet ‘giants’ to remove/monitor the material. The matter is also tackled in the Cyber-crime Bill coming up soon.”
Al-Rawi said the anti-terrorism amendments will definitely be done this year. Whether it’ll be before Parliament recesses in the first week of July or after it resumes in September, he couldn’t immediately say.
“Several other pieces of legislation are on Parliament’s agenda also,” he added.
A second part of the anti-terrorism amendments regarding those who seek to return home from ISIS involvement is still being finalised.
“We’re diligent - and vigilant - on this (terrorism) matter,” he added.
