‘Christ Must List’ … Now free to leave T&T

Senior Reporter

derek.achong@guardian.co.tt

Embattled Canadian YouTuber Christopher “Chris Must List” Hughes will be able to participate in his next court hearing of his sedition case virtually.

A bail condition requiring Hughes to return to Trinidad for the continuation of his case was varied when Hughes appeared before High Court Judge Indrani Cedeno, yesterday afternoon.

Guardian Media understands that Justice Cedeno also ordered the release of Hughes’ passport, which he surrendered when he returned to this country late last month for a court hearing.

Despite the variation of his bail conditions, Hughes was not able to immediately depart.

Last Saturday, Hughes was detained by immigration officials after National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds deemed him an “undesirable inhabitant” under the Immigration Act and issued a deportation order against him.

His lawyers Jagdeo Singh, Gerald Ramdeen, and Vashisht Seepersad filed a case seeking access to him at the Immigration Detention Centre in Aripo and then sought an injunction blocking his proposed deportation.

After Hughes was ordered released by High Court Judge Robin Mohammed pending the outcome of his proposed immigration case, he was placed on an order of supervision, which required him to periodically report to immigration officials.

Legal sources said that despite the variation of his bail conditions, Hughes would not be able to lawfully depart the court until the supervision order is lifted.

Guardian Media understands that Hughes’ legal team was expected to write to the Chief Immigration Officer requesting the move.

In the event that the request is not acceded to, his lawyers would have to pursue litigation over the issue.

In May, Hughes, a 45-year-old father of three, was charged with publishing a statement with seditious intent.

The charges relate to videos Hughes posted on his travel vlog during a lengthy visit to this country, earlier this year.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence and was granted $100,000 bail. His bail was subsequently varied to allow him to leave the country and return for court.

The sedition case is scheduled to come up for hearing before Magistrate Charles on January 14 when a trial date is expected to be set.

Early last week he was briefly held by the police as part of an alleged money laundering probe. However, he was released without being charged.

The post ‘Christ Must List’ … Now free to leave T&T first appeared on CNC3.