Senior Reporter
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has ordered a probe into the leaked telephone conversation between Genevieve Hadeed and Star Sabga, which began circulating on social media over the weekend.
In a statement yesterday, the TTPS said Guevarro had directed Assistant Commissioner of Police Andy Teewarie to lead the investigation, which will determine whether the recording is authentic, whether it constitutes communications lawfully intercepted and, if authentic, how it came to be publicly circulated.
Investigators will also examine whether anyone unlawfully disclosed protected information or breached operational security, data-handling protocols or statutory obligations.
It pointed out that communications may only be lawfully intercepted under the provisions of the Interception of Communications Act and reminded the public that the unauthorised disclosure of intercepted communications is an offence.
The TTPS said the matter is being treated with the highest level of urgency and confidentiality and that no further comment will be made while the investigation remains active.
Meanwhile, Attorney General John Jeremie said the leaked telephone conversation may not necessarily have originated from a lawful interception carried out by local authorities, warning that advances in technology have made it possible for external actors to intercept communications.
Responding to questions on the issue, Jeremie urged caution against drawing conclusions about the source of the leaked recording.
“Please remember that given modern technology, it is possible for external actors to also conduct interceptions,” Jeremie said.
The leaked audio recording has generated widespread public debate after being shared across social media.
In the recording, a woman alleged to be Sabga is heard making a series of critical remarks about Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, calling for her removal from office and alleging that innocent people were being targeted by the Government.
During the conversation, a woman alleged to be Hadeed refers to comments she attributed to the Attorney General regarding United States law enforcement capabilities, before Sabga rejects the claim and goes on to make allegations involving US President Donald Trump.
The recording surfaced shortly after Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander filed an affidavit in the High Court defending his decision to place Sabga in preventive detention during the ongoing State of Emergency (SoE).
The affidavit referred to intercepted communications involving Sabga.
Guardian Media sought clarification from Jeremie on several issues arising from the affidavit, including the legal basis on which Sabga’s phone was allegedly intercepted, whether the affidavit suggested that all members of the Syrian/Lebanese community were under surveillance, which court issued interception warrants and who applied for those warrants and when.
While the AG did not address those specific questions, he said, “All members of an ethnic group can never be the subject of a lawful intercept. It can never be proper.”
Jeremie also defended the legal safeguards governing the interception of communications in T&T.
“No phone in T&T is tapped without strictly following the provisions of the law.”
PNM wants independent process
Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) chairman Marvin Gonzales yesterday welcomed the TTPS decision to investigate the leak but said the probe must be comprehensive and independent.
In a Facebook post, Gonzales said, “I wish to commend the Commissioner of Police for finally breaking his silence on the recent illegal release of intercepted audio communication.”
However, Gonzales cautioned that investigators should not allow political influence to interfere with their work.
“I also wish to take the opportunity to publicly advise the Commissioner again, that he must take extra careful precaution so as not to allow his office to be manipulated and used by dangerous and deceitful politicians.”
He further argued that investigators should be prepared to examine the actions of senior public officials.
“These investigators must be prepared to go into all high office holders to identify the source of the breach.”
Gonzales also maintained that the police investigation does not answer broader political questions surrounding the controversy.
“This announcement does not absolve the Prime Minister and the Attorney General from breaking their silence on this scandal.”
