Lawyer decries cancellation of Valabhji couple’s visit to home |28 October 2022
Legal counsel Samantha Aglae
Laura Valabhji’s legal counsel Samantha Aglae yesterday decried the way the prosecution and police are handling the issue of letting her client and husband Mukesh access their home, which remains under detention since September 13.
The Valabhji couple last appeared in court before Justice Mohan Burhan on Monday this week, after filing an application to court, seeking that they be able to visit the property, and to remove personal items not part of the exhibits, as well as perishables which have been there all of this time, since their arrest on November 18, 2021.
Ms Aglae, during a press briefing yesterday afternoon at her office, explained that the court issued a directive for the parties to resolve the matter among themselves, and that they managed to reach a consensus, deciding that the visit, together with the accused, would take place on Saturday October 29, at 9am.
She was however informed through e-mail by State Prosecutor George Tachet yesterday morning, notifying her that the visit will not be going ahead, based on concerns of security and practicality of the visit, of the Seychelles Prison Services.
“In my perspective, they are failing to follow a directive of the court. For what reason, I do not know,” she stated.
In response, Ms Aglae noted that she will be filing an application to the court requesting an urgent hearing to be able to maintain the date.
Ms Aglae added that the authorities’ reluctance to let the couple, nor legal representatives access the property leaves room for speculation as to the state of the home, its maintenance and upkeep which is left to the state for as long as it is under detention.
They hope to once again bring the matter before court.
“I think this is a really sensitive case, and there has been a lot of public opinion on the matter,” she noted, suggesting that her client is not necessarily being afforded the basic right to a fair trial.
The Valabhji couple are to face trial relating to arms and ammunition as from December 1, and another being prosecuted by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS) as from April 2023.
The Supreme Court earlier this week asked parties to file their submissions on the issue, to deliver a ruling on November 9, based on the main issue remaining in dispute, relating to the access to the property.
Laura Pillay
