GOB Defends Cybercrime Law Amid Alberto August Arrest Controversy

Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre is pushing back against claims that Belize’s cybercrime law is being weaponized against political opponents, saying challenges to the legislation will be addressed formally in court. His comments come amid a political firestorm over the arrest of former UDP Chairman Alberto August, who was detained after Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira filed a police report under the cyberbullying provisions. Prime Minister John Briceño has defended the move, insisting it was not made to silence criticism but protect individuals from harmful online attacks, while also accusing August of exploiting a grieving family for political gain. Hears what Sylvestre had to say on the matter.

 

Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General

“Firstly, I reject your characterization that it’s been used in a way as been suggested. Now, I need to point this out. So as attorney general, very recently we were reminded by the Apex Court in a matter that they had the CCJ. So the party which had a matter before the court said, “Look, I really don’t think that we’ll be able to get much fairness in a process because of comments that the AG has made.” And the Apex Court reminded as attorney general that there are certain, there are certain restraint an attorney general must make in terms of his or her comment, given that he is the, or she is the legal advisor of the government. So I will not comment any further, but to say that I’ve seen or heard that there may be a challenge to the cybercrime law, and so we’ll address those when they are form- formally served on us..”

 

Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre refrained from commenting further on the matter.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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