By Admin. Updated 6:47 p.m., Thursday, July 23, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander has revoked the Preventative Detention Orders issued against Dominic Hadeed and Genevierve Hadeed, who were detained last month as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and senior members of her Government.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, Alexander said the decision followed a review of the circumstances surrounding the detentions, including recommendations from a Review Tribunal and medical information submitted regarding Dominic Hadeed’s condition.
The two were arrested by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on June 24, 2026, and detained as part of a criminal investigation. The Minister subsequently issued Preventative Detention Orders against both individuals on June 27 under the Emergency Powers Regulations 2026, which were implemented during a State of Emergency.
Alexander said the Review Tribunal, established under section 11(1) of the Constitution, recommended on July 19 that the continued detention of the two individuals was “not necessary or expedient in the public interest”.
The Minister also said he received a medical report on July 21 concerning Dominic Hadeed’s condition and the care plan recommended by his medical specialist.
According to Alexander, he requested that Hadeed consent to an examination by an independent specialist appointed by the State, but that request was refused.
The Minister said he was required to balance the detainees’ constitutional rights with the responsibility to protect public safety during the State of Emergency.
“I have determined that the balance, at the present time, having regard to all of the relevant circumstances, is in favour of release of the detainees,” Alexander stated.
He said the criminal investigation has expanded beyond its original scope and now involves multiple jurisdictions, requiring cooperation among several local and international law enforcement agencies.
Alexander noted that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council had declined to hear the substantive appeal in the matter on an expedited basis, meaning that, without the revocation of the orders, the detainees could have remained in prison until the end of the State of Emergency.
“I recognise that continuing detention in those circumstances would be disproportionate,” he said.
The Minister said the decision to release the Hadeeds does not bring an end to the investigation.
He added that he had received assurances from the TTPS that both individuals would remain subject to monitoring and surveillance to ensure the investigation is not compromised.
“Further, steps have been implemented to ensure that the safety of those subject to the threat is in no way compromised and any risk is contained,” Alexander said.
He also expressed the expectation that the released detainees would cooperate with all law enforcement agencies involved in the ongoing investigation.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government has not disclosed further details about the alleged assassination plot, as the matter remains under investigation.
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