(Trinidad Express) – Security precautions heightened at the United National Congress’s (UNC) Rienzi Complex headquarters, in Couva, as police investigated reports that there was a $5 million contract out to kill Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Asst Commissioner of Police John King said at 11 am on Wednesday Opposition MP Chandresh Sharma informed him by phone that a UNC campaign manager had received an anonymous call warning of a hit on Persad-Bissessar.
The Express contacted Sharma for comment, but he denied knowledge of any attempt to assassinate Persad-Bissessar.
The Express learnt that an anonymous phone call was made to the UNC headquarters at Rienzi Complex and a man, who claimed to be a police officer, informed a staff member that there was a $5 million contract for the assassination of Persad-Bissessar and that at least three persons had already accepted.
The police were immediately called.
The Express contacted King who confirmed that a report was made.
King said after Sharma called him, he “immediately contacted the head of the police Special Branch being aware that Special Branch has special treatment for public officials – Head of State, the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.”