Facebook group in solidarity with AFM soldier discharged after viral video

A Facebook group has been set up in solidarity with an Armed Forces of Malta soldier who was discharged after a video showing him criticising the authorities went viral on the social media.

The group refers to Schembri as an “ex-soldier”.

Godwin Schembri was reportedly discharged from the AFM after the mobile phone video showed him mocking the erection of a redundant metal gate to the Pembroke shooting ranges, an obstacle that could be overcome simply by driving to the left of it.

Schembri was seen driving an army jeep out of the shooting ranges and around the gate straight onto the road, pointing out how the army regularly refused soldiers clothing supplies but had spent thousands on a useless gate.

The Facebook group ‘Solidarity with Godwin Schembri’ says that the mobile phone video was a joke between a group of soldiers that was “irresponsibly” shared on social media, and going in just a few hours.

In the video Schembri criticises the decision to erect the standalone gate “worth €16,000” when soldiers are told there is never enough money for more necessary items such as military clothing.

The Facebook page admins said Schembri’s explicit language may have failed the military standard expected of him, “however the fact that Mr Schembri was discharged from his job was an exaggerated punishment. His intention was just to make a short video to entertain his work colleagues during the mundane routine.”

Two days after the video went viral on WhatsApp, a wall was built to extend the boundary. “Was he discharged for telling the plain truth that offended the authorities?” the Facebook group asked.

At the time of writing the group has nearly 1,000 members.