Embattled Life Sport coordinator Rajaee Ali is among three men who are expected to appear in the Arima Magistrate’s Court this morning charged with being in possession of a protected animal during the ongoing two year hunting ban. Ali, 28, and his two friends, all of Malabar, Arima, were arrested near their homes around midday on Saturday after police found a lappe carcass in their vehicle. All three remained detained at the La Horquetta Police Station and were visited by their lawyer Criston J Williams late yesterday.
The trio was charged for the protected animal while 26-year-old driver of the vehicle was slapped with two additional charges for driving the vehicle without a valid driver’s permit and insurance. In October 1, last year, Environment Minister Ganga Singh instituted a two year hunting ban while increasing fines for offences under the Conservation of Wildlife Act. Ali, whose father is the iman at the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen’s outpost at Evergreen, Carapo, has been arrested by police several times this year.
The latest arrest came almost two weeks ago, when Ali, his two brothers and over a dozen members of the mosque, were detained and questioned by detectives of the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit (CGIU). They were all released without being charged. Ali has also been linked to allegations of corruption in the troubled Life Sport programme, which led to the resignation of Sport Minister and D’Abadie/ O’Meara MP Anil Roberts on Thursday.