Interpol to register TT sex offenders abroad

TT citizens who were convicted of sexual crimes in other countries will also have their names placed on the sex offenders’ registry.

This was said by Snr Supt Wayne Mystar, public information officer of the police service at Wednesday’s weekly media briefing in Port of Spain.

He said Interpol will assist local police in identifying those who should be placed on the registry.

“Our section which deals with international relations will have liaison with the services from other regions. Once that information is given to us, we will put that in our register.”

Mystar, in a subsequent interview, told Newsday as long as someone commits a sexual offence, the authorities in that jurisdiction will report it. Wherever that person is from, regardless if that person is from TT or from another country, the authorities will forward the details of the offence through the Interpol service. He said it is an international practice.

On Tuesday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi told Newsday the Sexual Offences Act will now allow for the names of sex offenders to be published online.

A media release from the AG’s office said, as of January 31 sexual offenders will face the full brunt of the law.

The release added that between 2000 and 2019, 1693 people were convicted of sex offences but none were listed in a registry.