Government has spoken to American authorities who are more than willing and able to assist with the murder case of slain special prosecutor Dana Seetahal, SC, says National Security Minister Gary Griffith. “It’s definitely on the cards but at this time, I don’t think it’s necessary,” Griffith said prior to yesterday’s Senate sitting.
Griffith was asked by reporters if Government was seeking foreign assistance to crack the Seetahal murder case. Seetahal was assassinated by gunmen who ambushed her in Woodbrook as she was on her way home early Sunday.
He said he could not comment on claims the murder plot was hatched in the Remand Yard of the Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, prison. He said he had spoken to the acting Police Commissioner and Government’s job was to give the police any support necessary for the case which could also include international help.
Griffith said while US authorities were willing and able to assist, that would only be done if and when T&T’s police saw it fit that was required. He said he did not think the police’s credibility was at stake in the case but it would act as a catalyst to show the professionalism of the service.
Public support key
He said the detection rate was low not because of lack of electronic support, forensic or CSI assistance but due to lack of intelligence information from the public. He said that was why the state was trying to remove rogue elements from the Police Service and instituting facilities to allow the public to pass on information.
Asked if the assassination did not signify failure of law enforcement agencies’ intelligence network, Griffith said the jury was still “out” on if their network fell short. He said the intelligence agencies were “way ahead of the game at this time in the investigative process of the case.”
Declining to detail their progress, he said: “They are doing what is required. Because of the National Operations Centre for instance, we were able to work immediately with the units who had video footage of the murder and also the SSA and intelligence and police agencies are all working together and within 24 to 36 hours were able to make very big strides on this.” He said it was critical the perpetrators be brought to justice quickly and to ascertain the motives, including if Seetahal’s murder was associated with her work.
He declined comment on having covert as well as overt cameras at various locations, adding: “You never know where Big Brother is watching you but it’s done to look after your safety.” On claims by Opposition Leader Keith Rowley that a permanent secretary had “run from T&T” as the “criminal elements went after him,” Griffith said he was unaware of that. He said his PS, Carl Francis, had not left.
Works Minister Suruj Rambachan also said no PS had left in his time at the ministry. Griffith said he would speak to Rowley to investigate the allegation.