Caption: Defence Minister Wayne Sturge. Photo: T&T Parliament

Summary

• Explosive Allegation: Defence Minister Wayne Sturge claimed in Parliament that the TTPS had prior intelligence regarding the threat to prosecutor Dana Seetahal but failed to act before her 2014 assassination.
• Defending the SoE: Sturge used the tragedy to argue that emergency powers and preventative detention are necessary to stop violent crimes before they happen.
• Opposition Rebuttal: Former national security minister Stuart Young pushed back, noting the murder occurred under the People’s Partnership government, and sadi that politicians have no legal involvement in authorising police wiretaps.

By Prior Beharry

DEFENCE Minister Wayne Sturge alleged that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) possessed advance intelligence regarding a threat on the life of prominent prosecutor Dana Seetahal, but failed to intervene before her 2014 assassination.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the extension of the State of Emergency (SoE), Sturge said that law enforcement relied too heavily on surveillance without taking decisive, preventative action.

He claimed that authorities continuously monitored the situation but did nothing to stop the impending attack. Sturge said that while Seetahal was aware she was in danger, she had opted out of having a personal security detail.

“The police listened, and they listened, and they listened, and now she’s not here,” he said

In support of the SoE, he said that emergency powers and preventative detention are crucial tools necessary to thwart violent crimes before they can be executed.

In his contribution, former national security minister  and MP for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West, Stuart Young remined the House that Seetahal’s killing took place while the coalition People’s Partnership administration was in power.

Citing the Interception of Communications Act, he said only three specific officials—the Commissioner of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA)—have the legal authority to approve wiretaps.

“Ministers do not get involved in intercepts,” Young said.