One charged, one released in Laing’s kidnapping case

According to attorneys representing the men, one of them, a 29-year-old, was charged with receiving a ransom. He is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

The other man, an Imam, was released.

Seven people were arrested in connection with the case. A 17-year-old woman arrested on July 1 with two other men at Alicia’s Guest House in Lady Chancellor Hill, was released later that night while a man of Picton Road, Laventille was released late on Thursday night.

Two other men who were also arrested on Saturday, filed writs of habeas corpus in the High Court to have the police justify their continued detention.

On Friday, in an order after an hour-long hearing, Justice Ricky Rahim said, while he is satisfied the continued detention of the two was not unlawful, if no charges were laid against either by 11.30 am yesterday they ought to have been released. The men were represented by attorneys Criston J Williams and Karunaa Bisramsingh.

The arrest of the seven suspects came after hours of surveillance after Laing’s release on the afternoon of June 29.

Laing, 53, the owner of Puff n’ Stuff chain of bakeries, was snatched from outside his San Fernando branch at about 3 am that day.

Relatives were contacted by a man who demanded $270,000 for his safe return. Hours after the kidnapping, relatives went to Phase 1 in Beetham and paid $30,000.

Later that evening, they paid $240,000 in Barataria. Laing was subsequently released.