Four days before the 24th anniversary of the 1990 attempted coup, leader of the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen Yasin Abu Bakr sent out a warning to National Security Minister and the police commissioner following a raid at the Jamaat’s Carapo mosque.
The clip, which went viral on social networking site Facebook, was posted at 1 pm on Win Radio 101.1 FM Facebook page.
It was used during a newscast on Win TV yesterday.
Abu Bakr was responding to arrest of 18 people at Carapo mosque on Tuesday evening, including Life Sport co-ordinator Rajaee Ali.
"Coming into the mosque in Ramadan and detaining people unlawfully, will not, and I repeat will not, be accepted.
“Big man Mr Alexander, if you think that you could do whatever you want and you not accountable to God, Mr Commissioner of Police, Mr Griffith, this is Abu Bakr. I am saying, if you continue this transgression and ill-will, we will respond appropriately. End of Talk!"
When contacted for comment, up to press time, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said he could not comment as he was yet to view the clip.
He said he instructed his Public Affairs Officer Supt Joanne Archie to provide the information to him.
Bakr led 113 men in an attempt to overthrow the government on July 27, 1990.
In response, the Ministry of National Security said in a statement last night that while there is no evidence of any threat all usual systems remain in place that would deal with any or all threats to public safety and security. These measures are part of the nation's upgraded defence mechanisms that remain in place on an ongoing basis.
The Ministry of National Security sent the following statement on July 23:
The Ministry of National Security was informed that the T&T Police Service and Defence Force detained a number of suspects at the Carapo mosque after the raid was carried out [on July 22]. This is entirely within the jurisdiction of the T&T Police Service who will use whatever intelligence they have at their disposal to conduct such exercises. It is unfortunate that such action was deemed necessary by the T&T Police Service but one has to be assured that such measures were required in the public interest.
Regarding the public statements made by the leader of the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, Abu Bakr, the Ministry of National Security wishes to advise that while there is no evidence of any threat that all usual systems remain in place that would deal with any or all threats to public safety and security. These measures are part of the nation's upgraded defence mechanisms that remain in place on an on going basis.