Kidnapping of businessman:

THE brother of kidnapped Chaguanas businessman Larry Ackbarali is appealing with his abductors to make contact with the family.

Selwyn Ackbarali, 51, also urged the kidnappers to purchase the relevant medication needed to treat a chest infection his brother developed months ago.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday at Ackbarali’s residence at Pierre Road, Charlieville, Chaguanas, his brother, Selwyn said family members had come together to discuss the $1 million ransom demanded for his safe return.

The 46-year-old businessman was kidnapped on Monday, while walking along the car park at Valpark Shopping Plaza, in Valsayn near Republic Bank. Ackbarali is a distributor for Lander products.

Eyewitnesses told police that about 11 am Ackbarali, a father of two was snatched and bundled into a sliver grey station wagon.

Exactly one hour after Ackbarali was abducted, his wife received a text message stating: “Larry has been kidnapped $1 million demanded.”

Police officers later found the station wagon abandoned in the St Joseph district. Selwyn said that the family was confused over the kidnapping.

“My brother is a struggling businessman. We do not know what has caused this, my brother has no enemies,” he said.

Selwyn said he was at his job in Port-of-Spain when his sister-in-law telephoned him and told him what had happened.

He said the kidnapping has left the entire family shaken, and rekindled bad memories of when Ackbarali was robbed two years ago. “No one can eat or sleep. Our parents, his wife and children are very traumatised.

“We are just keeping our fingers crossed and waiting on a telephone call.”

Also visiting the family was Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran who described Ackbarali as a very humble businessman.

Ackbarali’s business place is located downstairs of the MP’s constituency office.

Ramsaran said last week he attempted to persuade Ackbarali to put the name of his business on a sign in the front of his business place, but he refused.

“He insisted on keeping a low profile and said he did not want any type of publicity. So, this is very distressing. When something like this happens in my constituency, I feel responsible,” Ramsaran said.

Making a public plea on behalf of the distressed family Ramsaran called on Minister of National Security Martin Joseph to come to the family’s assistance.

Officers of the Anti Kidnapping Squad (AKS) are conducting investigations.