One kidnapped Trinidad fisherman released, 5 still held

(Trinidad Express) One of six fishermen kidnapped for a $US200,000 ransom was released without harm on Wednesday.

Jerry O’Brian returned by boat with Venezuelan fishermen to the fishing village of Morne Diablo around 1 p.m. yesterday

O’Brian told police officers of the Penal CID that the Venezuelan fishermen who transported him home were his friends.

O’Brian was taken to the Siparia District Health Facility, and police officers were expected to interview him.

The kidnappers of Jagdesh Jude Jaikaran, 16, Brandon Arjoon, 28, brothers Jerry O’Brian, 36 and Jason O’Brian, 38, and Linton Manohar, 36, – all of Morne Diablo – and Ricky Rambharose, 35, of Fyzabad, demanded that half of the ransom be paid by Wednesday.

The families of the six fishermen were given until Wednesday to pay half of the ransom demand or the men would be dismembered.

Attemps were made by the family of one of six fishermen kidnapped and taken to Venezuela to sell his assets and pay up the ransom.

Yesterday, the fisherman’s family was trying to sell a partially completed house, having already sold a van and a pirogue to raise the cash and meet the Wednesday deadline to stave off a threat of them being dismembered.