Al-Rawi responds to Medz Boss legal threat, says letter unseen

Opposition Senator and Senior Counsel Faris Al-Rawi says he has not received a pre-action protocol letter reportedly sent by attorneys representing Trinidad and Tobago artiste Joseph “Medz Boss” Oliviere. Al-Rawi addressed the matter while speaking with reporters on Tuesday, September 15, after being questioned about threatened legal action arising from statements he made at an Opposition press conference. Attorneys representing Oliviere have accused Al-Rawi of making statements they consider defamatory and maliciously false. A pre-action protocol letter dated September 14 reportedly seeks legal remedies over the disputed statements. However, Al-Rawi repeatedly told reporters that he had not received the correspondence. “I certainly haven’t received anything,” he said, adding that he therefore did not know anything about the reported letter. When asked whether he would look into the matter after it was brought to his attention, Al-Rawi questioned why he would do so before receiving the correspondence. He also raised the issue of the timeframe associated with pre-action protocol procedures, telling reporters that if the matter concerns alleged defamation, there are procedural requirements governing the period allowed for a response. Al-Rawi said that whenever correspondence is received, the appropriate approach is to examine it and consider its merits. He maintained that he was not concerned about the matter and said he generally keeps legal matters involving himself or his clients close to the law rather than discussing them publicly. “We’ll deal with it. Let’s see. I certainly haven’t received anything,” Al-Rawi said. During the same media engagement, Al-Rawi praised the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and other law enforcement personnel following a major cocaine interception. He congratulated the Coast Guard and said Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from decades of cooperation with international partners, including intelligence sharing. Al-Rawi described the interception as a major win for crime fighting and also congratulated the Government for the continuation of efforts aimed at disrupting the illegal drug trade. He said attention should now turn to the prosecution of those involved and determining who may be further up the chain behind the alleged operation. Al-Rawi also questioned where money connected to such illegal activity ultimately goes and said law enforcement and Trinidad and Tobago’s international partners deserved recognition for their work.