( L - R ) Vaz , Dabdoub

American lawyer George Crimarco testified yesterday at the election petition hearing that when Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz came to Jamaica on October 7, 2007 on his United States passport, he was under the protection of the US government.

Vaz had called Crimarco as a witness in the election petition brought by People's National Party candidate Abe Dabdoub.

Dabdoub is contending that because Vaz is a US citizen, he has pledged allegiance to a foreign power and was not entitled under the Constitution of Jamaica to be a Member of Parliament.

Crimarco said further under cross-examination in the Supreme Court that when Vaz travelled to Canada, Thailand and St. Maarten on his US passport, he was under the protection of the US government to the extent permitted by the law.

Attorney-at-law Jalil Dabdoub, who is representing Dabdoub, suggested to Crimarco that one of the bases which entitled a person to a US passport was a person owing allegiance to the US and he said that was the only basis.

Crimarco completed his evidence yesterday and when the hearing resumes today before Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, the lawyers will begin making submissions.