Just one day shy of a month behind bars, businessman Dominic Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed, are now back home.
On Thursday, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander revoked their Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs), ending their detention, which began on June 24th amid an investigation into an alleged plot against Government officials.
In a media release issued on Thursday, Minister Alexander said he ordered the Hadeeds’ release after determining that their continued detention was no longer justified at this time.
He said he had continually reviewed the legality of the detentions and considered the findings of the Review Tribunal, which on July 19th concluded that further detention was “not necessary or expedient in the public interest”.
The Minister also said he had received a medical report regarding Mr Hadeed’s condition and treatment requirements.
He said the State had requested an independent medical examination, but that request was refused.
Minister Alexander said he was required to balance the detainees’ right to liberty and protection under the law with the need to preserve and protect public safety during a public State of Emergency.
He said investigators had expanded their probe beyond its original scope, with inquiries now spanning multiple jurisdictions and involving local and international law enforcement agencies.
The Minister also noted that the Privy Council had declined to fast-track the substantive appeal in the matter, meaning the detainees could have remained in prison until the end of the State of Emergency.
He said continued detention under those circumstances would be “disproportionate”.
Despite the release orders, the Homeland Security Minister said police had assured him that both individuals would remain under monitoring and surveillance as the criminal investigation continues, while measures remain in place to protect those under threat.
He said he expected the detainees to cooperate fully with investigators.