Iftekar Ahmed Shams (left) and the other accuseds on their way to the courtroom. * Photo credit: Voice (St. Lucia)
Three of the four men charged in connection with the Lambirds Academy human trafficking and money laundering scandal were granted bail on Friday after attorney Marcus Foster cited an attack on one of his clients in prison as part of his successful bail application.
Indian nationals Kumar Batukbhai Chadasama, Ashwin Kanji Patel, and Gurjeet Singh Vilkhu, who are all charged with human trafficking, were granted EC$100,000 bail. The men were denied bail on two previous occasions.
The court heard on Friday that Patel was attacked earlier this week by three prisoners who bound, gagged and attempted to strangle him.
Foster also told the court that a prison officer came to his rescue.
Lambirds Academy Chief Executive Officer/President Iftekhar Ahmed Shams’ bail hearing is set for Monday.
Shams, who suffers from diabetes and hypertension, was hospitalised several times for collapsing in prison. He is the only one charged with both money laundering and human trafficking.
Meanwhile, as a condition of their bail, Chadasama, Patel, and Vilkhu are to surrender their travel documents; banned from communicating with the virtual complainants in the case; stay at least 200 yards away from the virtual complainants; report to the Gros Islet Police Station twice per day; and periodic police checks on their residences.
The men are accused of using Lambirds Academy as a front to traffic persons from Nepal, The Phillipines, India and other Asian countries, promising them jobs in the US after completion of studies in hospitality management.
Over 70 suspected students were left stranded by the scandal. Some have returned home, but the majority are still in St. Lucia being fed and housed by Good Samaritans with the assistance of the government.
Seven students went missing but were found several days later in Grenada.