Freed businessman returns to Venezuela today

VENEZUELAN shrimp exporter Jose Jesus Bomparte Cipriani, who was kidnapped from a Maraval apartment on the night of June 12 and freed early yesterday on the Uriah Butler Highway, will return to his homeland today. He has vowed never to return here.

Cipriani, who was kidnapped two weeks ago at Darcy Road, Maraval, was dropped off at the Uriah Butler Highway in the vicinity of the Caroni River around 3 am yesterday. Officers of the Chaguanas Police were contacted and Cipriani was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital by officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad. Yesterday, he accompanied friends and relatives to the office of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad where he gave a statement with the assistance of a translator. Late yesterday, Cipriani was making arrangements to return to Venezuela.

In his statement to the police, the freed Venezuelan did not provide much information to AKS officers. He also asked that no further police action be taken in the matter. Senior officers said kidnapping is a serious crime and they are continuing with investigations. Sources revealed yesterday relatives of Cipriani paid $300,000 to the kidnappers.