By IANTHIA SMITH
Former teacher Andre Birbal faced charges of unnatural sexual intercourse with two underage males in court yesterday. (Photo/Torrell Glinton)
Former Eight Mile Rock (EMR) High School art teacher Andre Birbal, who was wanted in The Bahamas for allegedly sexually molesting several former male students, was extradited to The Bahamas and arraigned on several charges all in just over an hour.
The 46-year-old Trinidadian man arrived in New Providence around 2:30 p.m. yesterday and was rushed to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) officer under heavy police guard around 3:15 p.m.
Escorted by plain-clothes police officers in two separate SUVs, Birbal arrived at the Thompson Boulevard office wearing a blue sweat suit, his face emotionless.
While under investigation for the molestation allegations, the Trinidadian fled the country and wound up in New York.
However, on May 3, 2009 he was arrested in that city after being stopped for a traffic violation.
After months of negotiations and cooperation between United States and Bahamian police forces, he was finally extradited to The Bahamas.
After being booked at the CDU office Birbal was then rushed to Court # 8 through Bank Lane to face sexual molestation charges.
After a 20-minute wait in the prisoner’s dock, he appeared before Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethel to answer to two charges of unnatural sexual intercourse.
Police believe that between January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2007 while in Grand Bahama, Birbal had unlawful sexual intercourse with a male under the age of 18.
It is further alleged that between September 1, 2001 and February 28, 2007, in Grand Bahama, Birbal also had unlawful sexual intercourse with another male under the age of 18.
The incidents stem as far back as 2001, however, they were never made public until 2007.
Birbal was not required to enter a plea to the charges, but he did tell the court he had been denied the right to contact his attorney, Carlson Shurland, or Shurland’s New Providence associate.
He further claimed that since arriving in the country, he has been put in front of a media circus.
Birbal also accused the police of forcing him to march in front of members of the press. He said in light of the sensitivity of the case that should not be the case.
Deputy Magistrate Bethel ordered that Birbal be allowed to make a call to his attorney. However, she denied him bail, after Prosecutor David Lockhart told the court that Birbal has already proven that he is a flight risk and had to be extradited.
Birbal is expected to return to court on April 7 when the prosecution will decide if the case will be heard via preliminary inquiry or Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI).
The Birbal sexual molestation accusations were brought to light early last year when EMR Parent Teacher Association (PTA) head Troy Garvey called for Birbal to be removed from the school.
Preliminary investigations led to more and more accusations being lodged and even prompted the government to form a House Select Committee to investigate allegations of school molestation.
The report found that 15 public school teachers had been accused of such acts.
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