Express raid trial put off

- File photo
- File photo

FRIDAY’s trial of a media house’s lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General for a search of its offices in March has been re-listed, State attorneys asked for a variation of the court’s timetable to file submissions in defence.

The trial was expected to get under way on Friday before Justice Frank Seepersad, but attorneys asked for it to be pushed back by a week to allow for the filing of submissions in defence.

The trial will now take place on October 23.

One Caribbean Media Group Ltd, the Express and editor in chief Omatie Lyer filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Police and Supt Wendell Lucas challenging the constitutionality of the March 11 raid.

They contend that the warrants issued by a justice of the peace to search the premises were unconstitutional, unlawful, arbitrary, unnecessary and disproportionate. They also say it contravened their right to freedom of the press guaranteed in the Constitution.

The raid came after the publication of an investigative piece on ACP Irwin Hackshaw's being flagged by local banks. Several devices were seized from Lyder’s office at Independence Square, Port of Spain.

Last month, the Media Association of TT was given permission to be part of the proceedings.

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