Annandale Man Granted Bail After Charged with facilitating terrorist activities

Annandale Man Granted Bail After Charged with facilitating terrorist activities

Jason Jacobis, a resident of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, has been released on bail after being charged with two counts of facilitating terrorist activities related to explosions in Georgetown in mid-May. The 33-year-old appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

Jacobis was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charges. Prosecutors allege that between May 15 and May 17, 2025, he played a role in orchestrating explosions at two significant public facilities: the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) substation and the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost. Both incidents caused substantial structural damage and heightened public fear.

According to the prosecution, Jacobis is the registered owner of a white Honda Vezel, registration number PZZ 3501, which was allegedly used in the execution of both attacks. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly captured the vehicle near the affected locations during the bombings. The prosecutor stated that this video evidence helped directly link the vehicle to the acts in question.

Following the investigation, police arrested Jacobis and conducted a recorded interview. In his statement, Jacobis denied any involvement, claiming he had sold the vehicle to a Venezuelan national known only as “Boulevard.” He stated he had text messages to support this transaction; however, authorities contend that no such messages were found on his device, and he failed to produce a receipt or formal agreement to verify the sale.

The prosecution opposed bail, citing the serious nature of the offenses and their implications for national security. “These acts could dismantle the very fabric of our society,” the prosecutor emphasized, raising concerns about the lack of concrete evidence validating the transfer of vehicle ownership.

Jacobis was represented by an attorney who presented a different perspective. The court was informed that on May 29, Jacobis learned via social media that his mother, Anita Jacobis, had been taken into custody in connection with the same bombings. In response, he began searching online and recognized one of the wanted men as the individual to whom he had sold the vehicle. His lawyer stated that Jacobis expressed a willingness to cooperate with law enforcement to clear his name.

The attorney noted that contact was made with a senior police officer who directed them to the Ruimveldt Police Station. There, around 8:00 PM that evening, they met with a sergeant who suggested a video-recorded interview be conducted the following Friday. However, Jacobis’ lawyer complained that before the scheduled interview, the sergeant approached Jacobis alone and showed him CCTV footage allegedly related to the investigation, asserting that Jacobis was not seen in any of the recordings.

The lawyer also argued that Jacobis had been detained for more than 72 hours, violating his constitutional rights, before being released on $500,000 station bail. He emphasized that Jacobis had been cooperative, voluntarily turning himself in, and that a wanted bulletin had never been issued for his arrest. Furthermore, he highlighted that Jacobis had a fixed residence, no prior criminal history, and was the sole provider for his household.

The attorney claimed evidence existed showing Jacobis had offered the vehicle to other individuals around the time in question, reiterating that the allegations were insufficient to establish guilt. He urged the court to grant bail, noting that while the charge is serious, it is bailable under the law.

After reviewing the arguments, Magistrate Azore ruled that she was satisfied with Jacobis’ conduct and believed he was not a flight risk. She granted him bail of $500,000 on each of the two charges.

As part of the bail conditions, Jacobis must surrender his expired passport and report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every second Friday starting June 13. Magistrate Azore also noted that Jacobis must seek court approval if he wishes to leave the jurisdiction. The case was adjourned until July 2.

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