Senior Reporter
Star Sabga has expressed remorse for referring to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as a “stinking c****e” during a conversation with her niece, Genevieve Hadeed, in June.
Speaking at a media conference yesterday, hours after Sabga was released from detention, her attorney, Faris Al-Rawi, conveyed the apology on her behalf.
“She regrets using what has been properly described as a racial slur. She has said that plainly. She has an explanation as to why she said that. She was referring to something historical, which I would not go into in much detail, but suffice it to say, she is very clear in her apology. She says had she known she was speaking to the public for all time to come, she would have explained herself in better language,” Al-Rawi said.
He said the apology was contained in an affidavit Sabga submitted to the court. The affidavit also includes her explanation for an alleged threat made against the Prime Minister and others.
In a leaked audio recording of a conversation with her niece, Genevieve, Sabga reportedly suggested that someone needed to be shot.
“This is not gonna turn out nice, Jenna. Somebody getting a bullet in their head, eh,” she was heard saying.
Addressing that comment, Al-Rawi said his client was also remorseful.
“She has filed an affidavit in which she explains not only what she said, but why she said it, in the belief that she was having a private conversation with her niece, who clearly spent the entire time trying to calm her down. She has said very clearly in her affidavit evidence that she believed she was in a private conversation and was expressing herself to someone who knew her,” he said.
Al-Rawi added: “She has said in her explanation that she has often reflected on the events of 1970 and 1990 in Trinidad and Tobago, and that she was speaking in general terms, expressing frustration at her belief as to where the country was heading. She makes it very clear that she has never and will never threaten or cause harm to anyone, let alone members of the Government, in the manner alleged by the conspiracy allegations.”
Sabga, along with her niece and nephew-in-law, Dominic Hadeed, was detained in connection with an alleged plot to murder Government officials, including the Prime Minister. All three were placed under Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs) at Golden Grove Prison in Arouca on June 27.
The Hadeeds were released on July 23 after Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander revoked their PDOs. Sabga remained under house arrest from July 27 until her release yesterday.
When Guardian Media visited Sabga’s residence at Regents Tower, Westmoorings, following her release, Genevieve Hadeed answered the door and politely declined to comment, saying neither she nor her aunt was prepared to speak publicly.
“She’s not in a position to speak just yet,” Genevieve said, adding that no other family members wished to comment because “everything is still fresh.”
Both Genevieve and another woman at the apartment appeared relieved that Sabga was no longer under detention.
Just outside the apartment were two empty chairs and a fan previously used by police assigned to guard the residence.
A security guard subsequently arrived and indicated that media were not allowed in the building and we would have to leave.
Outside the building, some of Sabga’s neighbours smiled and waved from their balconies. One woman was seen recording the arrival and departure of police vehicles, a sight that had become familiar during Sabga’s detention, as officers visited several times daily to deliver meals and conduct guard changes.
