The grant of their pre-trial freedom was by agreement between the State and lawyers for the detainees before Justice Jainarayan Singh.

Rajesh Sahadeo, Shaheed Khan, Haroon Gahya, Christopher Small, all of Classics Development Inc which is engaged in the construction of houses and Sean Belfield, a member of the Police Target Special Squad, were held on December 4 about 11.30 p.m.

But Ricardo Rodrigues, of Lot 29 Dadanawa Street, Section K Campbellville, Georgetown, applied for their release by filing a writ of habeas corpus and the matter first engaged the judge’s attention last Friday afternoon.

On that occasion, attorneys-at-law Mr Nigel Hughes and Mr Glendon Hanoman, for the applicant, secured a nisi order, directing the Commissioner of Police to produce the five yesterday and show cause why they should not be freed.