The independent regiment probe into online photographs of Attorney General’s Faris Al-Rawi’s children posing with high-powered weapons at a training exercise in Camp Cumuto, is expected to be completed by the end of next week.
This is according to Chief of Defence Staff Brig Rodney Smart who spoke with the media yesterday at the closing ceremony of a three-day training exercise between the T&T and Venezuelan Coast Guards.
Asked about the probe which was promised not to be a cover up, Smart said the investigation is ongoing. He said a preliminary report was submitted to him on Thursday.
He said the completion of the probe is expected to be by next week.
The probe was centered on who leaked photographs of Al-Rawi’s children posing with high-powered rifles.
On October 11, during the Budge debate, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, produced the photographs and questioned the identity of the two children. He later claimed the photos had been posted on Facebook.
Senior Public Affairs Officer of the Defence Force, Major Al Alexander said on October 13, that a senior military officer had started an investigation but could not say when it would be concluded since “more than a dozen persons” who were at Camp Cumuto during the training exercise would have to be questioned.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley reprimanded the Regiment for leaking the photographs and questions were raised as to whether there was a breach in the laws of T&T.
There were also calls for Al-Rawi to either be removed or step down as AG following the release of the pictures. The police service is also investigating the matter.
In explaining what transpired at the training session that led to the children holding the guns, Alexander said the purpose of the family being there was for them to understand what is done in emergencies.
Alexander said that similar to when the Defence Force did career guidance sessions, there would be a certain level of curiosity and the children were allowed to hold the guns after the magazines were emptied.
“In our perspective, these are weapons that in emergencies would have to be used. We don’t want children being shell shocked and freezing when they need to move. It was really to remove the fear and apprehension. We allowed them to hold it (gun)” Alexander said then.