PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, May 27, CMC – Police Wednesday detained Allyssa Phillip, the main organiser of a protest march outside the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) after earlier warning that no permission had been requested or granted for the event.
Heavily armed police cordoned off the areas close to the DPP’s office in the capital, as people protested the decisin of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to lay charges, including manslaughter against the common-law wife of a 31-year-old man, who was killed during a police involved shooting on January 20 this year.
Last week, the police said warrants had been issued for the arrest of Kaia Sealy, following the January 20 event when police fired upon a vehicle in which she and her husband, Joshua Samaroo, were travelling in Valsayn, east of here.
She had been charged with three counts of shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at the police, manslaughter with police alleging that Sealy, who was shot multiple times during the incident and left paralysed, unlawfully killed Joshua Samaroo, in addition to other related charges.
But the police have now said that Sealy, who is in the United States undergoing medical treatment, will now be charged with possession of a firearm; possession of ammunition; possession of a firearm with the intent to endanger life and discharging a firearm within 40 metres of a public place.
When Phillip arrived at the protest on Wednesday, she was immediately escorted by a senior police officer to a waiting police vehicle, even as protestors demanded her release.
“Please retreat to your home of abode,” a police officer said armed with a bull horn and in front of a line of officers dressed in riot gear, adding “this is a final warning. Kindly leave now please.”
At one time, the police warned retired trade unionist and leader of the opposition Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) to “please do not obstruct us,” forcibly removing Phillip from among the protesters.
The police also detained a woman, identified as her mother and another individual during the crackdown as the police officers repeatedly warned members of the public that the authorities would not tolerate any gathering, protest action, or demonstration outside or near the DPP’s Office under the current security measures.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Suzette Martin, who was among officers outside the DPP’s building, had in a statement said that while The TTPS recognizes and respects the constitutional right of citizens to express their views and to engage in peaceful protest and lawful public demonstration, the police are reminding that “Trinidad and Tobago remains under a State of Emergency, and as such, certain legal provisions are currently in effect in the interest of maintaining public safety, peace, and national security.
Martin made particular reference to Section 11 of the Emergency Powers Regulations, which states that no person shall “endeavour, whether orally or otherwise, to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety”.
She reiterated that the country is currently under a State of Emergency (SoE), and under the Emergency Powers Regulations, “the TTPS is vested with expanded authority to prohibit, restrict, and disperse any gathering where there is a threat to public order, safety, or national security.
“Any attempt to assemble in protest without authorization during the SoE will be regarded as a direct violation of the law. The TTPS will take immediate enforcement action, including dispersal, arrests, and prosecution of organizers and participants,” she warned.
Last Sunday, several protesters gathered outside the police headquarters in the capital, calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Guevarro and Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander.
Phillip, said Sealy was being used as a “scapegoat”.
CMC/ah/ir/2026