Prayer meeting for freed kidnap victim

Freed kidnap victim Yves Ayoung Chee who spent nine days in custody at the hands of his abductors was dropped off close to his St Clair home around 8 pm on Saturday. The 18-year-old student reportedly walked to his home where he was met by anxious relatives who quickly ushered him inside the house. He was later treated by doctors.

Yesterday, friends and relatives of  Ayoung Chee gathered at his Scott Street, St Clair home where they took part in a prayer meeting to give thanks for the safe release of the 18-year-old student. Ayoung Chee who was kidnapped on Thursday July 17 along with his friend Benedict Barette will be interviewed today by officers of the Anti Kidnapping Squad. AKS officers told Newsday that no ransom was paid for the release of Ayoung Chee. At the home of Ayoung Chee yesterday, four guards in plain clothes stood watch over all activities, both inside and outside the house. Relatives refused to be interviewed when Newsday approached them yesterday. Friends were seen taking bags of ice into the house while Ayoung Chee who was seated close to a window at the house munched on something and was constantly hugged by friends and relatives. Several cars lined the side of Scott Street as scores of persons were seen entering and leaving the house.

AKS sources revealed that despite several calls by kidnappers to the Ayoung Chee family for a ransom to be paid, no negotiation ever took place. Ayoung Chee told police officers that he was kept blindfolded most of the time but he could not say where he was kept. He was treated by doctors and found to be in good health. Around 1.30 am on Friday Benedict Barette, a friend of Ayoung Chee who was also kidnapped was released in Chaguanas and a note was given to him by the kidnappers to deliver to the family of Ayoung Chee. The note listed demands for relatives. AKS officers said yesterday that they intend to interview Ayoung Chee today and every effort will be made to find the kidnappers and bring them to justice. AKS officers also revealed that the search for the body of kidnap victim Darryl Chootoo will continue. Chootoo is believed to have been shot dead and his body dumped in Caroni. The only other outstanding kidnap victim is six-year-old Marc Prescott of San Fernando who is believed to have been abducted and taken to North America by relatives.