Secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) Gary Aboud and former national award winner Wayne Henry reappeared in court yesterday in relation to three charges which occurred as a result of a protest outside the Parliament building last year. Aboud, Henry and environmental engineer Cathal Healy-Singh were arrested on November 12, 2013, as they participated in a seismic survey protest at the International Waterfront Centre, Port-of-Spain.
The trio were confronted by the police as they attempted to deliver a “symbolic knock” on the Parliament door, which was meant to remind politicians of the group’s campaign to halt seismic surveys off this country’s shores, until the proper environmental impact assessments had been done. The men were jointly charged with holding a public meeting without the permission of the Police Commissioner (CoP) and holding a public meeting without notifying the CoP.
Aboud was also charged with failing to disperse a public meeting when ordered by ASP Picton Henry, while Henry was charged with obstructing ASP Henry in the execution of his duty. The men pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they first appeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port-of-Spain court on November 13, 2013.
Although the matter has since been adjourned several times, the men’s attorney Ian Brooks appealed yesterday for disclosure yet another time. The complainant in the matter was absent yesterday while only Aboud and Henry appeared before Ayers-Caesar.
The matter was adjourned to February 11, 2015.