Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie feared that he would be targeted for violence if he came to testify in Trinidad and Tobago, Attorney General Faris Al Rawi revealed in a press conference yesterday.
"Mr. Wylie's greatest concern in his discussions via his attorneys was for his safety. He expressly stated he was fearful for his life," said Al Rawi, while addressing the media at AGLA towers.
"He expressly stated that if he attended in Trinidad and Tobago on this issue then he could very well be the subject of violence if not worse and he has asked the state in the event that that is coordinated, make sure his safety is catered for," said the AG, "Those were his direct statements that he fears for his life in coming to Trinidad and Tobago."
More worryingly, the AG said the Canadian based his fears based on his insight on the country.
"Because in his work according to what I am directly aware of, he saw a level of criminality and breach of the law which is not equal in other countries."
The attorney general said the government had intended to act on the information revealed in Netflix's documentary 'The Great Hack' and approached US and UK government and law enforcement officials concerning the transfer of information as well as securing the testimony of Wylie.
"Mr. Wylie already provided his agreement to appear whilst we were engaged with his attorneys, it is to perfect that now and it is also to use a separate opportunity to gather his evidence Parliament to Parliament directly," said the Attorney General.
The whistleblower, the AG said, has agreed to testify after his safety was assured.
Wylie made international headlines after he leaked documents to the English media which describe Cambridge Analytica use of personal information obtained via social media giant Facebook, which was then used to push targeted political campaigns at specific individuals.
The documentary highlights that Analytica had been developing and honing the tactic for several years in smaller countries including Trinidad and Tobago's 2010 general elections.
It was said in the documentary, which featured the Canadian whistleblower, that the group masterminded the Do-So campaign which was used by the People's Partnership government.
The documentary claimed that the campaigned targeted young voters in particular and urged them to stay from the polls. This the film claims swayed the balance of the election as young Indo-Trinidadian voters opted to vote while Afro-Trinidadian voters chose not to cast their ballots.
UNC leader Kamla Persad Bissessar has denied they used Cambridge Analytica in the campaign, a stance which was acknowledged at the end of the documentary.
