Human, drug trafficking and importation cases |16 July 2022

Defence lawyer to file motion to quash indictment against client

Defence lawyer Alexia Amesbury who is representing Gerard Bastienne, has said she will file a motion within the next two weeks to quash the indictment against her client, on the ground of duplicity.

This in the case of the Republic versus Brothers Fabio and Dario Soopramanien, along with Gerard Bastienne and 11 Iranian nationals charged with cases of drug trafficking and importation, as well as human trafficking.

Mrs Amesbury made the statement during the case mention yesterday morning before Chief Justice Rony Govinden.

Duplicity means that each count has more than one charge.

Chief Justice Govinden said the motion will have to be filed within the next two weeks as the trial date has been set for August 3.

The Soopramanien brothers and Gerard Bastienne pleaded not guilty to fourteen counts against them in early April. These include counts under the misuse of Drugs Act 2016, under the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2014, and another count punishable under Section 244 of the Penal Code.

As for the 11 Iranian nationals, they are facing two counts under the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2014, along with an additional count punishable under Section 244 of the Penal Code.

The other defence lawyers in the case are France Bonte and Clifford Andre while Georges Tachett is representing the prosecution.

Patsy Canaya