PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) - Trinidad authorities found a bomb at the residence of two members of an Islamic group and have arrested the men, police said yesterday.

Abu Bakr. facing terrorism charges

The men, members of Jamaat al Muslimeen, were arrested Friday during a raid by army soldiers and police. They were caught packaging the bomb, which was equipped with wires, timers and antennae, said a senior police superintendent who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the Press.

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul confirmed newspaper and television reports about the arrests, the bomb and the men's association with the Islamic group. He said the men were being detained for questioning.
"I cannot divulge too much information as the investigations are still in the preliminary stage," Paul said.

Police refused to identify the men, saying they will do so if they are charged and make a court appearance. They provided their ages - 31 and 32 - and said they were renting accommodations in a home located in Arima, 16 kilometres (10 miles) east of Port of Spain.

Police received intelligence that the men planned to detonate the bomb before leaving the island. Police found passports and airline tickets for a flight departing yesterday, but wouldn't say where the men were going.

The incident comes during a preliminary inquiry into terrorism charges against Jamaat al Muslimeen leader, Yasin Abu Bakr. The charges against him stem from a November 4 sermon in which he called for war against rich Muslims who refuse to pay zakaat, an Islamic tithe for the poor.

A judge could decide whether Abu Bakr will stand trial when the inquiry wraps up on Thursday.
In 1990, Abu Bakr's group bombed police headquarters, stormed Parliament and took the prime minister and his Cabinet hostage in a rebellion that left 24 people dead.

The rebels surrendered after they were promised amnesty. The government withdrew the amnesty and prosecuted them, but the charges were dismissed on appeal.

Trinidad also has experienced a rash of bombings this year: four bombs were detonated in Port of Spain and St James, on the capital outskirts, between July and October, injuring about 25 people. Police haven't charged anyone in those bombings and haven't said they believe Jamaat al Muslimeen was involved.

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