Former Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock has broken his silence to address his recent arrest and subsequent release in relation to suspicion of human trafficking.
Just hours following his release from custody of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Willock confirmed the arrest via a statement where he also declared his innocence as he provided details on the incident.
“On January 10, 2023, at around 11.00 am, I was detained, questioned, and released without charges by six (6) Caucasian United Kingdom (UK) officers. They claimed I was being investigated on suspicion of Human Trafficking, because of some VISA waivers I had obtained over the years,” he stated.
Willock also disclosed that all of his communication devices are still within the possession of UK investigators and have not yet been returned.
He admitted to applying and obtaining VISA waivers but said they were all done in accordance with the laws of the BVI.
“I did apply and obtained VISA Waivers in association with my company, Advance Marketing and Professional Services. These were all legally acquired through the Deputy Governor’s Office. Most of the VISA Waivers were obtained before my tenure as Speaker. It is my understanding that all persons who came via a VISA Waiver have since left the territory and did so as per Immigration requirements,” he explained.
Targeted operation
The former Speaker also alluded to the investigation being another attempt by the United Kingdom Government to finally have him behind bars.
He said, “I know the people of the Virgin Islands are fully awake and still have confidence in my integrity, for it was suggested if they could not get me via the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) they had to get me another way. Assurance can be given that my lawyer and I will put those unfounded allegations to rest.”
Likening himself to prominent civil rights activists, Willock said he too shall prevail in clearing his name from what he termed to be false allegations.
“Throughout history, those who have fought for human dignity, freedom and justice such as Patrice Lumumba, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and our very own Noel Lloyd have faced bogus allegations, trumped-up charges, and character assassination. But in the end, truth and justice emerged and prevailed,” he said.