(Antigua Sun) – After having been denied bail last December (2009) in the St John’s Magistrates’ Court, a Guyanese woman charged with forging an Antigua and Barbuda immigration extension stamp has finally been released until her trial.
Zeena Moonasar appeared before Magistrate Keith Thom on Thursday and was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 with two sureties. Moonasar was required to pay a cash deposit of $5,000 in order to secure her release from custody.
Magistrate Thom, who told Moonasar that she was being granted bail on compassionate grounds, told her that she has to report to the St John’s Police Station twice daily between 6 am and 6 pm
Thom said he was releasing the woman as her 15-year-old daughter had not seen her since she was remanded on 27 October, last year. The magistrate said the teenager has been deprived of the company of her mother at this delicate age.
Attorney Craig Christopher told the court that Moonasar operates a business from her home where she sells food.
He said the Guyanese woman has resided in Antigua for the past nine years. He added that the only other family she has here is a nephew.
Moonasar after being granted bail placed her head in her hands and cried. She had been crying even before the matter was called.
Moonasar’s co-accused Latchman Bhola was further remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison. His attorney Ralph Francis did not make a bail application at this stage.
The duo is alleged to have been involved in a scam where a number of people were issued with fake immigration stamps.
