Canadian Blogger Given Permission to Return to His Homeland

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Canadian YouTuber, facing a possible two yers in jail on a sedition charge, was on Friday given permission by the High Court here to return to his home until his next court appearance in August.

Canadian You Tube blogger, Christopher Arthur Hughes (center) poses with two alleged gang members ina video aired on social media (File Photo)Justice Indrani Cedeno granted Christopher Arthur Hughes, who used the alias “Chris Must List,” permission to travel and ordered the return of his passport, which will have to be re-lodged in the High Court registry on August 22, the day before he reappears before acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles.

His sedition case before the acting Chief Magistrate will come up for a case-management hearing on August 23.

Hughes made his first appearance before her on June 13 and later that day posted on Instagram that he had hoped to return home after his court appearance and that it appeared he was “stuck” here until August.

The court set his bail at TT$100,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents).

But his lawyers made an application for bail under the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act, with the High Court being allowed to vary the conditions of his bail.

The Canadian 45, pleaded not guilty to the charge of publishing a seditious publication (an audiovisual video) on the social media platform YouTube on May 9. He is being represented by a team of lawyers that includes former attorney general, Anand Ramlogan.

“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 following his arrest.

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

The Canadian High Commission said following its arrest that 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.”