By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The cyberbullying case against UDP figure Alberto August has taken another turn, and this time the controversy is not only about the Facebook post that started it.
August is still before the courts over a post in which he mocked Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira. While August has reportedly accepted that he made the post, he maintains that it was not criminal.
But police are now seeking permission to search his premises and access his phone, including requiring him to unlock the device.
The application was made in court through an ex parte hearing, meaning August was not expected to be present or notified. Police later asked for an adjournment, but the move has already raised concerns among UDP officials.
Former UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte says the police request makes no sense if the issue is simply to prove who made the post.
According to Peyrefitte, August has never denied making the post, so investigators do not need to search his phone to establish authorship. He argues that the real concern is whether police are trying to access private communications or information unrelated to the cyberbullying case.
Peyrefitte also questioned why the application was made in Belize City when August lives in San Ignacio. He further claimed that police already have two of August’s phones, making any additional search of his home unnecessary.
The former UDP chairman suggested that the move could be politically motivated and warned that police access to August’s phone could expose private messages, contacts, and unrelated material.
Police have not publicly responded to Peyrefitte’s concerns.
The case continues to attract national attention because it sits at the intersection of politics, free expression, cybercrime enforcement, and privacy rights.
For now, the matter has been adjourned until next week, when the court is expected to revisit the application.
The post UDP questions why police want Alberto August’s phone appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The cyberbullying case against UDP figure Alberto August has taken another turn, and this time the controversy is not only about the Facebook post that started it. August is still before the courts over a post in which he mocked Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira. While August has reportedly
The post UDP questions why police want Alberto August’s phone appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.