The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Monday denied that former prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley had been positioned on an INTERPOL watch checklist, following his claims that he was flagged and questioned throughout a latest journey to Antigua and Barbuda.
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Rowley, talking at a press convention earlier within the day, described the incident as a focused effort to wreck his worldwide status.
“This isn’t only a mistake; it’s a deliberate, calculated try to tarnish my identify on a global stage,” Rowley stated, revealing that he was detained and questioned whereas en path to Montserrat.
The previous prime minister, visibly pissed off, known as on present Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro to make clear what, if any, function they performed within the alleged flagging of his identify by INTERPOL.
In a subsequent assertion, the TTPS stated it had “taken notice of latest public statements” by Rowley and that it launched an inner investigation through its INTERPOL Bureau to find out whether or not any such itemizing existed.
“Complete checks had been performed throughout INTERPOL’s safe databases, which yielded a definitive outcome: Dr. Rowley shouldn’t be listed on any INTERPOL watch checklist or worldwide discover,” the TTPS confirmed. “No alerts, flags, or warrants are related along with his identify in INTERPOL’s methods.”
The police added that no departments throughout the TTPS had submitted info that would have led to such a list, and there was “no file, directive, or procedural motion” suggesting native involvement.
Clarifying INTERPOL’s protocols, the TTPS famous that the organisation requires judicial or prosecutorial documentation for anybody to be listed, and such actions are ruled by member states’ Nationwide Central Bureaus — not by police commissioners or political figures.
“The Commissioner of Police doesn’t maintain the authority to unilaterally add or take away people from INTERPOL methods,” the TTPS stated. “Such actions are ruled by worldwide authorized requirements, not home discretion.”
Addressing allegations of political interference, the TTPS insisted it stays an impartial and apolitical physique.
“No proof has emerged indicating that the organisation, or any of its members, has participated in politically motivated conduct relating to Dr. Rowley,” it acknowledged, whereas calling for “accountable dialogue within the public sphere.”
The TTPS additional emphasised that whereas public scrutiny is significant, “commentary should be grounded in verified reality.”
On the press convention, Rowley warned of the broader implications of his expertise, stating, “If this may be completed to a former prime minister, think about what could be completed to the typical citizen.”
