1 of 6 kidnapped fishermen released

STACY MOORE AND SHANE SUPERVILLE

One of the kidnapped fishermen Jerry O’Brian, 36, was yesterday released after four days of captivity.

O’Brian returned to Trinidad by boat accompanied with Venezuelan men whom he said were his friends at about 1.30 pm. Newsday understands a ransom was paid, but the figure was not released.

Up to last night reports said he was still being questioned by police at the Penal CID.

O’Brian and five others were kidnapped and a ransom of US$200,000 demanded for their safe release. The kidnappers threatened that if the money was not paid they would cut off the hands of the men. Among them is a 16-year-old boy. Police said the news of the kidnapping, ransom demand and threat were delivered to the family by another fisherman known to the six that were kidnapped. Police said that fisherman was recently released after being held on drug trafficking charges.

The five still held in captivity are Jude Jaikaran, 16; Jerry's brother Jason O’Brian, 38; Ricky Rambharose, 35; Brandon Arjoon, 29; and Linton Manohar, 36, all of Morne Diablo.

A photograph which circulated widely on social media especially Facebook showed all the men except Rambharose, sitting on the floor while being surrounded by men pointing machine-guns at them. That photo was sent to relatives on Monday morning.

When Newsday visited O’Brian's home yesterday afternoon in Morne Diablo relatives said they had only heard rumours that one of the brothers was released.

But they said they were yet to see him. “Calls are coming in and we are hearing Jerry was released. Until I see him, then I would believe it.” the tearful woman said. The families of the kidnapped men and teen were all gathered at one house.

“We are hearing he is in the police station. Right now I don’t know what to believe. I just want all of them home and safe. They are all friends and family.”

She said, “We all are going through so much. Many of us as looking at selling our possessions to bring back of relatives alive. It is not an easy thing to go through. But we are all trying to be strong for each other.”the emotional woman said.