Commission of Inquiry into 1990 coup calls Jamaat leader to testify

Port-of-Spain: The Commission of Inquiry into the 1990 attempted coup has approved the drafting of fourth and final letter requesting that Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr appear before the Commission to give evidence.

Bakr, who has been unwell, will be given 14 days to respond to the letter from the Commissioon, before it exercises its powers under the Commission of Inquiries Act.

Chairman Sir David Simmons agreed that Bakr is a critical witness in understanding exactlty what happened on that fateful day.

He said it was also important since all members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen who have given testimony have deferred important questions to the Imam.

Based on this, he gave the all clear to draft the letter.

Sir Simmons  told the inquiry this morning that the Commission wants to wrap the sessions by August, and this was an important witnesss.

The decision came after the Commission's attorney Senior Counsel Avery Sinnanan raised the issue, saying three letters had already been dispatched with an unfavourable response.