On May 21st, the trail began in the case against former International Affairs Secretariat Ms. Najan Christopher. The proceedings took place before Magistrate Khadeen Palmer and saw witness testimonies by Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr and Attorney General Dawn Smith.
Much of the testimony was focused around the diplomatic note which Christopher allegedly printed on an official letterhead from the Office of the Premier and used the stamp of the territory’s International Affairs Secretariat.
Days after Former Premier Andrew A Fahie was arrested, Christopher allegedly sent the note to the United States Office of International Affairs.
The letter was then used by Fahie’s defense attorney, Theresa Van Vliet, in a Miami court as part of an attempt to invoke head-of-government immunity.
The note claimed that at the time Fahie was immune from arrest and detention in the US by virtue of his position as VI premier. It stated, “The Office of the Premier of the Virgin Islands hereby further confirms that it is the official position of the government of the Virgin Islands that the Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, as the most senior member of the Cabinet, holds high ranking office in the Virgin Islands and on that basis immunity as recognised by international and domestic law, akin to heads-of-government immunity.”
Christopher was charged in October 2022 and has since pleaded not guilty to charges of breach of trust by a public officer and false assumption of authority.
Following the two days of testimony the trial was adjourned to July.
Director of Public Prosecutions Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit used the testimony to insinuate that Ms. Christopher sent the diplomatic note without the proper approval or advice of senior public officers including Attorney General Dawn Smith.
Christopher’s attorney presented her as an experienced public officer who did her best in a very tough situation.