THE arrest of three soldiers in connection with the kidnapping and murder of American War veteran, 62-year-old Balliram Maharaj, has sent shock waves through the military and government circles since one of the accused was assigned to the Minister of National Security some three years ago.

Two of the soldiers charged were trained in the Special Forces.

Cpl. Ricardo De Four was personally picked as a bodyguard and driver by former Minister of National Security Howard Chin Lee.

Sources say that Cpl. De Four would have been privy to confidential security plans and operational policies since he was Chin Lee’s driver and would have overheard sensitive conversations about police operations, and matters of National Security.

Sgt. Leon Nurse, who was also charged with De Four and Ricardo Stephenson were considered special soldiers in the Regiment.

They were carefully selected for key security positions because of their specialised training.

Corporal
RICARDO
De FOUR
... charged.

Corporal
RICARDO
STEPHENSON

They were among six persons charged with Maharaj’s murder over the weekend.

They appeared in the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court on Monday and were remanded in custody until February 8.

Maharaj, who was on vacation from the USA, was abducted while at a bar in Aranguez, San Juan on April 5 last year.

He was snatched by three men and pushed into a car, which sped away.

His corpse was found cut up, placed in plastic barrels and a cooler and buried in two holes last month at Grande Curacaye, Santa Cruz.

His former lover and two men were first charged with killing the Vietnam war veteran a few weeks ago.

Military sources hinted that a number of other soliders are being kept under a close watch, some of whom may also be charged with Maharaj’s kidnap and murder as well as other criminal activities.