debut: 2/16/17
35,156 runs
"Trini gun dealer ‘abducted’ from Barbados takes legal action"
GUN dealer Brent Thomas has initiated legal action against the Barbadian Government for his “forcible removal” from Barbados by its police force in 2022.He is also demanding to know who gave the directive which led to his “unlawful abduction” from a hotel room in Barbados on October 5, 2022, as stated by Justice Devindra Rampersad in his ruling on Thomas’ constitutional challenge in April 2023.“The laws of Barbados did not authorise any of the acts of the BPS relative to our client which occurred on October 5, 2022,” Barbados Attorney General Dale Marshall, SC, was told.Thomas, 61, is the owner of Specialist Shooters Training Centre (SSTC), which has been one of the main suppliers of guns, ammunition and other security equipment to various arms of the State for over 20 years, is represented by attorneys Fyard Hosein, SC, Aadam Hosein, Clay Hackett, of Trinidad and Barbadian attorney Nicholas Jackman.
In his legal action against the State, Thomas also sued over the criminal charges against him which were stayed by Rampersad who condemned the police officers, both locally and from Barbados, for their method of capturing and bringing Thomas back to TT. The State had also admitted that Thomas’ return to TT was unlawful but has appealed aspects of Rampersad’s ruling. Rampersad is also expected to decide on compensation.
In an address to the Barbadian Parliament on May 9, 2023, Marshall insisted Thomas was not “abducted” from Barbados, but he did admit officers of the BDS had “fallen short of the law” during the operation.He said neither himself nor Prime Minister Mia Mottley was informed or made aware of any matter involving Thomas, but said that was not unusual. “We simply had no knowledge nor involvement in this matter.
Thomas was on his way to visit his US cardiologist and stopped over in Barbados when he was detained at his hotel, handcuffed and handed over to three officers assigned to TT’s Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) on the tarmac of the Grantley Adams International Airport.Marshall said he recognises the officers had “fallen short” of the law by acting without an extradition request. “I can confirm that no request was made for the extradition of Mr Thomas.The Barbadian AG also said if there is a ruling against the actions of the Barbadian police officers, the island’s government would abide by the law.They also want the names of the ministers from TT and Barbados who interacted with each other as well as copies of all correspondence and written communication exchanged between them as well as with any public official or police officer, including those from IMPACS.
GUN dealer Brent Thomas has initiated legal action against the Barbadian Government for his “forcible removal” from Barbados by its police force in 2022.He is also demanding to know who gave the directive which led to his “unlawful abduction” from a hotel room in Barbados on October 5, 2022, as stated by Justice Devindra Rampersad in his ruling on Thomas’ constitutional challenge in April 2023.“The laws of Barbados did not authorise any of the acts of the BPS relative to our client which occurred on October 5, 2022,” Barbados Attorney General Dale Marshall, SC, was told.Thomas, 61, is the owner of Specialist Shooters Training Centre (SSTC), which has been one of the main suppliers of guns, ammunition and other security equipment to various arms of the State for over 20 years, is represented by attorneys Fyard Hosein, SC, Aadam Hosein, Clay Hackett, of Trinidad and Barbadian attorney Nicholas Jackman.
In his legal action against the State, Thomas also sued over the criminal charges against him which were stayed by Rampersad who condemned the police officers, both locally and from Barbados, for their method of capturing and bringing Thomas back to TT. The State had also admitted that Thomas’ return to TT was unlawful but has appealed aspects of Rampersad’s ruling. Rampersad is also expected to decide on compensation.
In an address to the Barbadian Parliament on May 9, 2023, Marshall insisted Thomas was not “abducted” from Barbados, but he did admit officers of the BDS had “fallen short of the law” during the operation.He said neither himself nor Prime Minister Mia Mottley was informed or made aware of any matter involving Thomas, but said that was not unusual. “We simply had no knowledge nor involvement in this matter.
Thomas was on his way to visit his US cardiologist and stopped over in Barbados when he was detained at his hotel, handcuffed and handed over to three officers assigned to TT’s Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) on the tarmac of the Grantley Adams International Airport.Marshall said he recognises the officers had “fallen short” of the law by acting without an extradition request. “I can confirm that no request was made for the extradition of Mr Thomas.The Barbadian AG also said if there is a ruling against the actions of the Barbadian police officers, the island’s government would abide by the law.They also want the names of the ministers from TT and Barbados who interacted with each other as well as copies of all correspondence and written communication exchanged between them as well as with any public official or police officer, including those from IMPACS.
- edited -
