Police detail alleged assassination plan

THE Special Branch has alleged that police uncovered a conspiracy by Blue Waters Products Ltd owner Dominic Hadeed and his wife Genevieve to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and senior Cabinet ministers as the State defended the continued detention of the couple under the State of Emergency (SoE).

The allegations are contained in an affidavit sworn by police Cpl Eldon Calliste, an intelligence officer attached to the Special Branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), which was filed in the High Court in response to the Hadeeds’ habeas corpus application.

Justice Frank Seepersad yesterday dismissed the application, ruling that the couple’s detention under Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs) issued during the SOE was lawful.

In his affidavit, Calliste said confidential intelligence received from what he described as a credible security agency indicated that the Hadeeds were engaged in, or preparing to engage in, acts ‘highly prejudicial to public safety, public order and the defence of Trinidad and Tobago’.

The affidavit stated that investigators subsequently obtained warrants to search the couple’s properties and seize electronic devices as part of the investigation.

Dominic and Genevieve Hadeed were detained during coordinated police operations at about 6 a.m. on June 24 under the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2026.

According to the affidavit, the PDO signed by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander alleged that Dominic Hadeed was linked to a conspiracy to assassinate the Prime Minister and other members of the Government.

The order stated that, following statements made during Parliament’s debate on the extension of the SoE, Hadeed ‘expressed violent intentions by stating words to the effect that persons would be shot in their head’.

The order further described him as ‘a person of substantial financial means and influence with the resources, access and capability to facilitate serious organised criminal activity’, and alleged that his continued liberty posed a threat to public safety.

The affidavit also outlined similar allegations against Genevieve Hadeed.

According to her PDO, intelligence gathered during the SoE indicated that she allegedly stated that the deaths of the Prime Minister, and other Government members ‘were required’ following the parliamentary debate on the extension of the emergency measures.

The order alleged that her continued release presented a substantial risk that plans to commit acts of violence against members of the Government could be carried out.

Trinidad Express