Father of Shooting Victim Released on Bail After Emergency Powers Regulation Charge

Christopher Samaroo, father of police shooting victim Joshua Samaroo, was released on a $100,000 bail after being charged under the Emergency Powers Regulations. This came after he spent more than a week in custody at the Belmont Police Station. A Justice of the Peace granted Samaroo his freedom on June 30th, following his discharge from the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he had been treated for a mild heart attack he suffered while in custody. The heart attack occurred after his arrest on June 22, following comments he allegedly made during an Eye on Dependency radio programme interview. The investigators later charged him with a summary offence under Regulation 11(a) of the Emergency Powers Regulations. This regulation makes it an offence to attempt, verbally or otherwise, to influence public opinion in a way that could prejudice public safety. Following concerns raised about his remarks, Samaroo initially went voluntarily to the Central Police Station accompanied by his attorney, Aaron Lewis. However, he was later arrested at the St. Clair Police Station.