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Scores of detainees were under the mistaken belief that the state of emergency (SoE) ended on October 28, though the current proclamation remains in force until November 2.

The SoE, declared by the President and extended by Parliament in July, continues for the full three-month period authorised under the Constitution. Government sources clarified that Parliament’s move to debate a further extension ahead of the deadline “does not shorten” the existing term. It was explained that the SoE began on July 18, when it was declared by the President. Although Parliament approved the extension on July 28, it did not cut short the proclamation’s period of an initial 15 days. The extension kicked in from August 2 for three calendar months. The second extension will take the SoE into the new year.

The clarification came amid threats of legal action from attorneys representing detainees held under preventive detention orders signed by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander. Attorneys argued that continued detention of their clients after 11.59 pm on October 28 was unlawful, as they believed the SoE had expired.