Zen nightclub on Keate Street in Port-of-Spain has been shut down indefinitely. The license for Zen was revoked in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court yesterday after certain restrictions that the club had to comply with were not followed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Winston Cooper confirmed the shutdown last night. The shutdown follows an early morning brawl at the club involving Machel Montano and two other top soca artistes in which a Princes Town man was beaten unconscious.The man was beaten outside the nightclub after a struggle which started inside the club ended on the streets outside. Russell Pollonais, who sustained head injuries, was up to last night warded in satisfactory condition at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
The brawl came on the heels of another scandal at Zen, on April 12, which involved the 15-year-old daughter of a pastor in a sexually-charged dance with international hip hop performer Akon.
In the latest incident, involving Montano, club owner Johnny Soong visited Belmont Police Station yesterday to give a statement on the fracas which he had witnessed.
After the raunchy dance involving teenager Danah Alleyne and Akon, there had been numerous calls from members of the public for the owners of the club to be dealt with by the authorities for its role in allowing a minor to enter the club which provides entertainment for persons 18 years and over.
Even Prime Minister Patrick Manning had joined his voice in condemnation of Zen and vowed to take up the issue with the owners personally.
