Top naval officer to go on trial over snooping unisex toilet in US embassy
- Country:
- New Zealand
- United States
One of New Zealand's most senior naval officers has gone on trial for placing a secret camera in the unisex toilet of the country's Washington DC embassy. Commodore Alfred Keating has been charged with attempting to make "an intimate visual recording" and is currently on trial in Auckland, local media reported.
According to court documents, Keating is alleged to have installed a small camera "in a unisex bathroom on Level 3 of the New Zealand Embassy" in the US capital in 2017. "It had been purposely mounted inside a heating duct unit in the bathroom," and was only discovered when the panel fell to the floor.
The embassy employed around 60 people at the time. "A thick layer of dust on the homemade platform the camera was mounted on indicated the device had been in place for many months."
The camera's media card had traces of Keating's DNA and his computer contained the camera's driver and related software. Ahead of the trial, Keating tried to prevent the public from knowing his identity, arguing it could make it "difficult to obtain future employment" and sully the military's image. A judge rejected that application. Keating has pleaded not guilty.
(With inputs from agencies.)
ALSO READ
Lizaad Williams joins Delhi Capitals as replacement for Harry Brook
Mozambique ferry accident leaves more than 90 people dead including children, local media say
AAP launches 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' campaign, asks people to join to empower Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Filter Capital secures Rs 800 cr for its maiden fund
People of Maharashtra have taken pledge for victory of BJP-NDA candidates: PM Modi ahead of Chandrapur rally