Antigua: Facebook Threat against PM Gaston Browne under investigation

In a decisive response to a disturbing social media incident, Police Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda, Atlee Rodney, says an investigation is now ongoing over a Facebook posting that had called for Prime Minister Gaston Browne to be subjected to gun violence.

That post was said to have been made during the weekend, suspected to be a retaliation for an earlier plot of an assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at a rally on Saturday night.

According to Commissioner Rodney, their agency immediately launched the investigation after the post went up. The creator of the post had been found, and the proper response on the matter was being carried out.

“People making threats of violence over social media should take them quite seriously since such actions may constitute a serious criminal offense,” Rodney said.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated. Making a threat over electronic communications is illegal. We do have laws at our disposal that we can use to enforce the law,” he indicated that it was imperative to have legal boundaries in the effort to contain and stop the dissemination of violent threats through this forum.

The Police Commissioner also urged the public not to post any violent or threatening messages on the web. He added that police will ensure all measures are taken in preserving law and order in society and protecting its people.

“Violence is not permissible and will not be tolerated in our society. We would work towards the best of our ability to eliminate all the risks possible of such a thing happening,” says Rodney.

The zero-tolerance policy against violence and threats is evidenced through the quote that supports the proactive approach from the police in protecting the community. Following the statements on the Facebook post, this probe has taken place timely within the community that raises concern about cyber threats and physical attacks.

This serves as a stern reminder of the very serious legal ramifications that go with such actions. In quickly coming up with the identity of the person in question and taking actions against him, the police once more indicated their will to enforce the law and protect the public.

In a nutshell, quick action by Commissioner Rodney and his stern warning are possible only with responsible use of social media. Efforts by the police department to act against threats of violence, assured citizens of Antigua and Barbuda that efforts are being made to create a secure and peace-loving environment in the country.