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Hadeeds challenge detention under Trinidad emergency powers
By Aurax Radio | July 5, 2026 | 2 min read
Businessman Dominic Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed, have filed legal proceedings challenging their detention under Trinidad and Tobago's State of Emergency, alleging constitutional violations and discrimination. The case also questions the legality of the government's emergency measures and raises broader issues about the use of preventive detention powers.
The Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, where legal proceedings challenging the Hadeeds' preventive detention are before the High Court.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Lawyers representing businessman Dominic Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed, have filed a judicial review and constitutional motion challenging their detention under Preventive Detention Orders issued during Trinidad and Tobago's ongoing State of Emergency. The application alleges that the couple's detention was unlawful, arbitrary and motivated by political and ethnic considerations rather than credible evidence of criminal activity. Their attorneys are seeking declarations that the detentions and aspects of the emergency regulations are unconstitutional, along with financial compensation for alleged breaches of their constitutional rights.
The legal filing argues that the government's extension of the State of Emergency was used to target members of the Syrian-Lebanese community and specifically Dominic Hadeed, citing public statements made during parliamentary debate on the emergency measures and a separate dispute over State land leases held by one of his companies. The claim further alleges that the detention followed Hadeed's criticism of government policy and legal action related to the termination of those leases. The attorneys also contend that police records surrounding the arrests contain irregularities and that authorities could have pursued less restrictive investigative measures if they believed there were grounds for criminal inquiries. The government has alleged that the detentions relate to intelligence concerning a suspected plot against senior public officials, an allegation the Hadeeds categorically deny.
Justice Frank Seepersad previously granted the couple permission to pursue their legal challenge but declined to order their release while the case proceeds. In his ruling, the judge stated that the legality of the arrests is separate from the minister's authority to issue preventive detention orders under the emergency regulations and concluded that maintaining the detentions pending the hearing presented less potential risk if the intelligence relied upon by authorities were ultimately substantiated. The case is expected to examine the scope of executive authority during a State of Emergency, the constitutional limits of preventive detention and the balance between national security powers and fundamental civil rights in Trinidad and Tobago.
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