00:00The government's post-State of Emergency Crime strategy is facing scrutiny as attorneys representing former PDO detainees signal their intention
00:09to sue the state.
00:10TV6 News asked Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besasa whether she believes those legal challenges will succeed.
00:17She replied, quote, they will all lose and the state will go after them for all legal costs, end quote.
00:24The Prime Minister also criticized the advice being given to former detainees, saying, quote,
00:29if they take a basket from thirsty, publicity-seeking lawyers, I hope their lawyers help them pay the legal bills
00:36after, end quote.
00:38TV6 News also asked about concerns from Tobago stakeholders who fear that proposed closed areas could affect tourism and businesses.
00:47Pesad-Besasa rejected those concerns, saying public safety would take priority.
00:52She said, quote,
00:53The lives and safety of Tobagoians is of paramount importance and will always take precedence over anyone's ambitions to amass
01:01personal wealth, end quote.
01:03The Prime Minister pointed to Tobago's 26 murders in 2024 and 10 in 2025 as justification for maintaining a strong
01:13security presence.
01:14She also rejected opposition criticism that the measures could turn the country into what critics describe as a police state,
01:23instead accusing the opposition of supporting what she called a criminal state.
01:28Her comments come as Parliament considers the Special Operations Bill, which proposes policing districts,
01:35special operations involving police and defense force support, as well as reporting and oversight provisions.
01:42The Prime Minister says the government remains committed to its crime-fighting strategy.
01:47Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
Comments