Canadian YouTuber Chris Must List Arrested in Trinidad

Authorities in Trinidad arrested Canadian YouTuber Chris Must List under the Anti-Gang and Immigration Act after he shared several videos on YouTube, showing his visits to various gangs in the country.

Chris Must List, born Christopher Hugh, was taken into custody for questioning by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) shortly after 6:00 a.m. on May 28. According to a report, the SIU arrested Hugh after analysing the videos over the last few weeks.

He was questioned for several hours on Tuesday and has not yet been released, even though his attorney, CJ Williams, told the Trinidad Express that the police said that he was not “under arrest.” CJ Williams added that, according to the police, Hugh was not allowed to leave custody.

The report also noted that Hugh might be charged with breaching the Immigration Act. Hugh, who was said to have entered the country as a tourist on vacation, visited gangs in Tunapuna, Morvant, La Horquetta, Belmont, and Sea Lots.

In the videos, he interviews the gang members who are brandishing their firearms. Senior police sources also told the news outlet that some of the people in the videos are State witnesses under protective custody in criminal cases.

Additionally, the Trinidad Express was told by a senior intelligence source that Hugh wrongfully filmed different gangs who were “sending subliminal threats to other gangs in those videos…promoting the gang.”

Hugh will be questioned again today (Wednesday), and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard will be consulted about the potential charges.

Section 5.1 of the Anti-Gang Act states:
(d) A person who professes to be a gang leader or a gang member in order to— (i) gain a benefit for himself or another person; (ii) intimidate other persons; or (iii) promote a gang, commits an offence.

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Section 8 of the Anti-Gang Act states:
A person who knowingly— (a) counsels; (b) gives instruction or guidance to; (c) finances in any manner; or (d) otherwise provides support to, Counselling a gang, a gang leader, gang member or gang in furtherance of its participation in, involvement in or commission of a gang-related activity commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for twenty-five years.

UPDATE

As per the latest update on the matter, via newsday.co.tt, the Youtuber was arrested after trying to report threats against his life, the threats were allegedly made by two “political figures” and two officers.

The details were given by legal personnel representing Christ Must List. His attorney Criston Williams told Newsday on Wednesday that he can’t confirm if the police took the statement from the Youtuber, he also stated that the police are “giving him a hard time.”