T&T: Canadian Youtuber charged with sedition

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Police say a Canadian social media personality is expected to appear at a Port of Spain District Court next week after he was charged with publishing a statement with a Seditious Intention on May 29 this year.

The police said that an investigation into Christopher Arthur Hughes began after his social media activities under the pseudonym “Chris Must List” came to light.

“Hughes allegedly posted videos featuring individuals professing to be gang members, advocating criminal activities, and using threatening language. Hughes was detained, interviewed and informed of the allegations against him,” the police said in a statement.

It said after consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Roger Gaspard SC, Hughes was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act.

The Canadian High Commission said Global Affairs Canada is “aware of the detention of a Canadian citizen in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

“Consular officers are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed.”

Media reports here said that the 45-year-old travel blogger and self-proclaimed journalist,  documents gang culture and violence in several countries and that In many of his videos recorded in Trinidad and Tobago, there were civilians with guns, discussing ongoing gang wars.

His attorney, Criston Williams is quoted by the Newsday newspaper here as saying that threats had been made to Hughes by politicians and police officers and that he had tried to make an official complaint to the police.

But the attorney said he is unsure whether police had taken the report, saying they were “giving him (Hughes) a hard time.”.

Trinidad and Tobago, like many Caribbean countries, is facing an upsurge in gun violence.

Newsday reported that Hughes, in a voice note to Williams, said he felt his arrest was politically motivated.

“I am loved by this country; I want to keep it that way,” Hughes said.

“I have done nothing wrong. It seems like a political ploy for some reason. Someone in the government is upset.”

About The Author