An airport employee who allegedly telephoned the police threatening to kill Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was granted bail when he appeared in court yesterday. Nicolai Marfan, 23, of Charford Court, Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain, pleaded not guilty when he stood before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Eighth Court.
Marfan remained silent as Ayers-Caesar read the charge that on October 10, at the Western Main Road, he is alleged to have sent a message by telephone which was menacing in character. Marfan was arrested on October 12 at Piarco Airport where he is employed as a porter.
Leading the investigation were ASP Ajith Persad and Cpl Anthony Williams of the Port-of-Spain CID. On Sunday, Persad sought advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, who gave the go-ahead to charge Marfan. Persad was present in court when the matter was called yesterday.
Although a trace on Marfan revealed he did not have a criminal record the prosecutor objected to bail as she urged the magistrate to consider who the threat was made against. At no time was it stated in court yesterday against whom the threat had been made.
Unrepresented when the matter was called, Marfan told the magistrate an attorney had been retained for him, but he was unable to remember the attorney's name and was unsure about reason for his absence.
The T&T Guardian later confirmed that attorney Joseph S Sookhoo had been retained by Marfan's family.
Ayers-Caesar granted Marfan bail of $75,000 with a surety to be approved by a clerk of the peace III, and ordered him to report to a senior officer at the Besson Street Police Station every Monday and Thursday. Marfan will reappear on November 8.