(TrinidadExpress) Sasha Mohammed, engagements adviser to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, yesterday demanded an apology from the Trinidad Express, claiming that the newspaper published a series of untrue statements which were a “bitter and unjustified attack” against her which has damaged her reputation.
In a pre-action protocol letter dated July 13 and addressed to The Editor of the Express, Mohammed, through her attorney Alisa Khan, also demanded that the Express cease any further publication which is calculated to bring her into disrepute odium and contempt.
Police investigations have revealed that a threatening e-mail sent to Express Editor-in-Chief Omatie Lyder and reporter Anna Ramdass originated from a computer at Mohammed’sSan Juanhome.
The e-mail from “Janice Thomas” which was sent to Lyder and Ramdass in January in the midst of the Express investigations into the appointment of Reshmi Ramnarine as SSA director, had accused Lyder and Ramdass of a personal vendetta against Ramnarine and threatened that their “day in the sun was over” and “this was the beginning … and that the two will understand the consequences of their actions…”
On July 1, police informed Lyder and Ramdass that no charges will be laid against Mohammed after officers sought advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard on the matter .
Police said Gaspard advised against charges because there was insufficient evidence to successfully secure a conviction even though police were seeking to charge Mohammed under the Amendment of the Offences against the Persons Act Chapter 11.08 Act No. 11 of 2005 which deals with harassment.
Despite mounting criticisms and calls for Mohammed to resign or be removed from her position by the prime minister, Persad-Bissessar has stated not enough evidence had been obtained to condemn Mohammed.
In the pre-action letter sent yesterday, Mohammed’s attorney stated:
“You are further required to give my client an unqualified written apology including a public withdrawal of your statements.”
The Express was given 28 days to reply or face legal action.
