A Canadian YouTuber accused of sedition in Trinidad and Tobago has appeared in court and has been ordered to surrender his passport.
Christopher Arthur Hughes, known for his YouTube channel “Chris Must List,” which features videos of his travels to dangerous locations worldwide, was arrested on Thursday. The arrest followed the publication of videos in which he interviewed Trinidadian gang members expressing their opposition to the government.
Mr. Hughes was charged under Trinidad and Tobago’s Sedition Act after local officials became aware of the controversial videos. On Monday, a judge at a Port-of-Spain District Court set his bail at TT$100,000 (£11,709).
Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, Mr. Hughes’ lawyer, Anand Ramlogan, argued that his client was simply exercising his constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Ramlogan stated their intention to sue the state for breaching Mr. Hughes’ constitutional rights.
In a statement, Global Affairs Canada confirmed they were aware of the situation and were providing consular assistance to the detained Canadian.
The controversy began after Mr. Hughes posted videos from Trinidad and Tobago on his YouTube channel, which has 326,000 subscribers. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service issued a statement alleging that the videos featured individuals who claimed to be gang members advocating criminal activities and using threatening language.
Law enforcement sources revealed to BBC News that a search warrant was executed at a location in west Trinidad where Mr. Hughes was staying, resulting in the seizure of several items including cameras and a laptop.
Over the years, Mr. Hughes has built an online persona as a globetrotting content creator. His YouTube videos often depict his visits to what he describes as the “most dangerous” areas in various countries, including Haiti, Kenya, and the United States.
Videos posted by Mr. Hughes on his Chris Must List social media accounts, which have since been deleted from his YouTube account, allegedly showed him in areas considered “hot spots” by local authorities due to high crime rates. Some videos included interviews with Trinidadian individuals, including a popular entertainer, a senior police officer, and schoolchildren.
In certain videos, Mr. Hughes is seen or heard interviewing men in Trinidad and Tobago while they brandish handguns and assault rifles.
The legal ramifications for Mr. Hughes in Trinidad and Tobago could include a summary trial, in which case the matter would be decided by a magistrate. Alternatively, Mr. Hughes could opt to have his case reviewed by the High Court, which could result in stiffer penalties.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspaper, Mr. Hughes has previously encountered legal issues with authorities in Cuba and Somalia. He was reportedly deported from Cuba for flying a drone in Havana and from Somalia for allegedly throwing money at poor people.