THE family of Canadian YouTube vlogger Christopher “Chris Must List” Hughes said they are working around the clock with the authorities and Global Affairs in Canada and Trinidad to secure his release after Hughes was charged with sedition on May 30.
But Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne says there has not been any outreach by Canadian authorities to the government. In a post on Hughes’ YouTube channel on June 1, Hughes’ family said they appreciated the support and outreach from members of the public.
“At this time, there will be no back-and-forth messages to provide further detail/responses as we are primarily focusing our energy on the matter at hand but we are hard at work to ensure progress.
“We kindly ask refraining from contacting the (Canadian) Embassy and Global Affairs, to allow us to continue our progress without interruption to the team assisting us at this time and not to interrupt or interfere in the process.
“We thank you for your kind words and understanding. Our family and the people we are working with closely, require privacy at this time and need time to put our efforts and focus into getting Chris out safely.”
The message comes a day after his family had called the TT public to “protest and come together to draw attention to the front of the station to release (Hughes).” Speaking to Newsday on June 1, Browne said his ministry had not been approached by Canada’s Global Affairs.
Global Affairs Canada is the department of the government of Canada that manages Canada’s diplomatic and consular relations, promotes Canadian international trade, and leads Canada’s international development and humanitarian assistance.
“At the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, we’ve received no outreach, communication, or contact on this matter from the Canadian authorities to this point.”
On May 29, the Canadian High Commission said it was “aware of the detention” of a Canadian national in TT and was working with the authorities.
A release from police on May 30 said the investigation into 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. After consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Roger Gaspard, SC, he directed detectives to charge the accused under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act.”
Hughes is scheduled to appear in court on June 3.
Hughes had previously said he believed his arrest was politically motivated. He claimed he had been threatened by two politicians and two police officers.
“I am loved in this country. I want to keep it that way. I have done nothing wrong. It seems like a political ploy for some reason. Someone in the government is upset,” he told his lawyer Criston J Williams on May 29.
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