By Sue-Ann Wayow
PROVIDE proof that you have evidence of Government spying on citizens.
This is the challenge thrown out to Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar by Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds.
On Sunday, during a National Security Ministry’s press conference, the minister was adamant that citizens should not be fearful that their personal communication was being compromised.
He said, “Bring the best evidence you have, I support the fact, she has none.
The Strategic Services Agency (SSA) is equipped with technology in its fight against crime must also be guided by law, the minister said.
Hinds said, “We have a very clear policy on these matters, the SSA must operate within the confines of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago and as far as I am aware, that has been happening and therefore the comments by the Leader of the Opposition as has been made clear by the Honourable Prime Minister in his impeccably laid out statement last Friday in the Parliament and quite correctly so, those comments by her are to be flatly rejected.”
On April 4, Persad-Bissessar at UNC virtual meeting alleged that government was illegally spying on members of the several groups of citizens in Trinidad and Tobago including their own members of Parliament and anyone who may be a threat to the leadership.
She alleged that the Israeli Pegasus software programme was being used for that purpose.
Persad-Bissessar said then, “A whistle-blower has provided me with information on this widespread electronic spying. I’ve also been provided with the names of people who’ve been spied upon. However, we’ve been alerting persons privately because of safety concerns.”
On Friday, in Parliament, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley made a statement refuting all claims made by Persad-Bissessar.
He said, “I want to assure the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and all observers, that the State does not possess, nor has it ever possessed or use Pegasus spyware. Contrary to the current misinformation campaign on this issue, there is no truth whatsoever, in the allegation that the State, including, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (“TTPS”) and/ or the Strategic Services Agency (‘SSA’), or any other state agency for that matter, has any officer using Pegasus spyware.”
