| JFK Suspect Has Fit in Court |
By Hayden Mills - Trinidad Express
July 3, 2007
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| THE OLDEST of three suspects wanted by the United States government for an alleged plot to blow up fuel tanks at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport had a fit when he appeared in court. |
He clutched his chest, cried out, spat and coughed in a loud hoarse tone several times as he sat in the prisoners' dock, propping himself up against the other two accused men.
Trinidadian Kareem Ibrahiim, 62, of Canefarm, Arouca, caused great emotional tension in the courtroom as his daughter, Ayesha, and other |
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| supporters began crying out as well. |
| The two other suspects are Guyanese nationals Abdul Kadir, 56, a former opposition member of Guyana's parliament, and Abdel Nur, 57. |
| They all reappeared before Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls at the Port of Spain Eighth Magistrates' Court yesterday. |
| Even before Ibrahiim reached the courtroom he seemed delirious, as he was shirtless and had to be helped by Kadir when they were being taken from the prisoners' van into the building. |
| His attorney, Farid Scoon, later told McNicolls that Ibrahiim was claustrophobic and was in that condition because he is transported in the van. He said "this" happened before as Ibrahiim suffers from "a gas problem." |
| McNicolls, at one point, asked if Ibrahiim had any family members in court and his daughter Ayesha went forward to comfort her father. Crying, she shouted to McNicolls: "Can he see a doctor now?". |
| Scoon asked McNicolls if arrangements could be made for Ibrahiim to see a psychiatrist. He said Ibrahiim was already ordered by prison doctor Dr Emanuel Hosein to see a psychiatrist, but was at court on the day of his appointment. |
| "In light of what is happening with Ibrahiim's claustrophobic condition, maybe the psychiatrist should be able to recommend what kind of drugs are required," Scoon said. |
| Attorney David West, who heads the Central Authority Department at the Ministry of the Attorney General, said he received a copy of the medical report and would ensure Ibrahiim sees a psychiatrist as soon as possible. He said a message was sent to Snr Supt Wayne Gilbert, who is in charge of the Court and Process Branch, to make alternative transport arrangements for Ibrahiim. |
| At the end of the hearing, Ibrahiim begged the police officer escorting him: "You can't put me back in that van, oh God.". |
| The officer told him that he would be transported separately. |
| West told McNicolls the authority to proceed had not yet arrived and McNicolls adjourned the matter to July 12. |
| Ibrahiim's attorneys meanwhile appeared before High Court judge Prakash Moosai at the Port of Spain Hall of Justice yesterday afternoon to apply for bail. No decision was made and further hearing of the application was adjourned to tomorrow afternoon, the Express learned. |
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