Soldiers apply for overturn of injunctions

Attorneys representing two soldiers accused of embezzlement and/or misappropriation of almost $1.5 million from the Defence Force are seeking to have overturned, an injunction freezing their assets.

The injunction was granted on Monday by Justice Margaret Mohammed in the Port of Spain High Court in response to an application filed by the Office of the Attorney General in an attempt to have the money recovered.

Private Josimar Belgrave and corporal Jason Richards, through their attorneys Stephen Wilson and Alvin Pariagsingh filed an application yesterday before Mohammed to be heard on the granting of the injunction.

The judge granted the attorneys time to file affidavits in response and adjourned the matter. The application to strike out the injunction is expected to be heard by Justice Ricky Rahim.

State attorney Gilbert Peterson SC submitted that legal costs for the injunction, which was granted in the absence of the soldiers and their attorneys, should be paid by the soldiers.

However, Pariagsingh contended the costs of ex-parte injunctions ought to be dealt with at the end of the hearing of the injunction and not before.

Wilson said since the application for the injunction was made without the accused being present, the costs should be borne by the State.