The Republic v Fabio Soopramanien & Ors (CO 115/2021) [2021] SCSC 1094 (23 December 2021)

SUPREME COURT OF SEYCHELLES HELD AT ILE DU PORT

Reportable

[2021] SCSC 922

CO115/2021

In the matter between:

THE REPUBLIC Republic

(rep. by Mr. Guilmette Leste)

and

FABIO SOOPRAMANIEN AND OTHERS 1^st Accused

(rep. by Mr. Basil Hoareau)

Neutral Citation: The Republic vs Fabio Soopramanien & Ors (CO115/2021) [2021] SCSC 922 (23 December 2021).

Before: Govinden CJ

Summary: Accuseds are remanded in custody.

Heard: 23 December 2021

Delivered: 23 December 2021

ORDER

RULING

GOVINDEN CJ

[1] I have carefully scrutinised the application for remanding of the 5^th to 15^th Accuseds in this matter. They are all Iranian nationals. Having done so I find that the offences they are charged with are very serious and carries with it a maximum sentence of 25 years of imprisonment if convicted.

[2] I am also satisfied on a prima facie basis that evidence reveals before me that there is an existence of an organised transnational criminal group involved in the commission of the offences.

[3] I am also satisfied that these accused persons have no fixed place of abode in this country and they are also very experienced seafarers.

[4] All these reason convinces this Court that there substantial ground to believe that if they are enlarged on bail they will abscond the jurisdiction and therefore defeat the due course of justice.

[5] I am therefore remanding all of them in custody up to the 6^th of January at 2.00 pm in afternoon.

Signed, dated and delivered at Ile du Port on 23 December 2021.

____________

Govinden CJ