SUSPICIOUS

HIGHLY suspicious.

This was the immediate reaction from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to the arrest of former People’s Partnership Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and current UNC Senator Gerald Ramdeen. She said there has been a history of pre-election arrests of UNC members.

She spoke during the lunch break of the sitting of the Lower House when asked to comment on the arrest of the two men. She said she does not know the details of what transpired. “I do not condone wrongdoing from anyone and I subscribe to the rule of law.

“Let justice take its course. However, we remain focused on the best interests of the people of TT and focused on the issues that matter most to the people.” She said the UNC remains very concerned over the country being besieged by crime and areas without water for two to three months. “On another level, the PNM is known for distractions. We recall before elections they charged Basdeo Panday, before elections things were found in Sadiq Baksh’s water tank. So there is a history of this. And I do believe the PNM is in desperation mode. They are in a panic.”

‘THEY’RE WOUNDED’

She said the UNC had a tremendous launch for local government election on Sunday - days before the arrests. “We believe they will do all they can in their desperation as any wounded creature, they will attack. Given the fact that we are on the cusp of an election I am very suspicious of whatever is happening in the country.

“I serve notice and warning, we will not be surprised (if there are further arrests). I’m not surprised. I don’t have the details but expect of the same to come as we get into the heat of election mode.” Persad-Bissessar said she has not had the opportunity to speak with either Ramlogan or Ramdeen.

On the fate of Ramdeen as an Opposition senator, she said she did not even know what is his fate at the moment or details on the matter for which he was detained. “I will not rush to speculate or make any premature decisions.” She said the party does not know if Ramdeen has been charged or even questioned yet. “We have not had that contact with them or their lawyers.” She pointed out that there is a government senator who was recently convicted of a criminal offence but still sits in the Upper House. “So it will not be the first nor will it be the last.”

She recalled Panday as a sitting MP was placed on charges and he was found guilty before the case was overthrown. Asked if the party stands behind Ramlogan and Ramdeen, she replied “we stand behind due process and we stand for human beings.” She said she found it strange no statement had been issued by the police on the arrests which has been widely discussed on social media. “I think it is important enough to warrant such a statement (from the police). We have seen other instances where they have been quick on the draw to issue statements. I think they should let the country know what is happening.”

IT’S ELECTION SEASON

She said some issues were addressed with alacrity by this government while there were many others outstanding including fake oil. “Why? Because it’s election season.”

The UNC earlier issued a statement on the matter saying wrongdoing will not be condoned. “We have no doubt that this desperate and failing Rowley administration is searching for a way to distract the public’s attention away from their record of failure over the last four years. The Rowley administration is characterised by incompetence, corruption, massive unemployment and runaway crime,” the release said.

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, speaking with the media yesterday about the arrests, said he could not say whether they were politically motivated or not.

“But the alignment of the events are very significant that it was only 48 hours ago the UNC had a massive, mammoth rally in Couva and today we are dealing with the whistleblower legislation. And in any event I am not surprised because remember for four years the Prime Minister and other ministers of government have been talking about events like this. So I am not surprised at all. They have been into naming and shaming and scandalising.”

He also said a lawyer had received $15 million in backpay from the Government when other lawyers received nothing. “Regrettably he’s also a cancer patient. He’s sick and terminally ill and he has been granted immunity from prosecution on some matters. So it’s very damning, it’s very alarming but we will see as the day progresses with that matter in particular,” Moonilal said.