Hitman’s Chilling Plot to Silence Montreal Journalist
A convicted hitman turned police informant has revealed a disturbing plot to assassinate Daniel Renaud, a crime journalist at Montreal’s La Presse. The chilling admission by Frédérick Silva, a convicted murderer, has sent shockwaves across Quebec’s journalistic and political circles.
Silva confessed to offering a contract worth C$100,000 ($71,400; £56,000) for Renaud’s assassination during his 2021 trial for multiple murders and an attempted murder. “I contacted two influential organised crime figures to carry out the hit,” Silva admitted, according to La Presse.
However, the contract was abandoned after the crime figures expressed concerns about targeting a journalist. Silva later cancelled the plan, citing “more important issues to deal with.”
Renaud, known for his meticulous reporting on organised crime, expressed disbelief over the revelations. “I’m shaken,” he told La Presse. “I don’t censor myself, but I exercise restraint to avoid endangering lives. I never imagined being targeted this way.”
Silva’s confession came as part of his cooperation with law enforcement, which required him to disclose his entire criminal history. He is now serving a life sentence.
Quebec Premier François Legault condemned the plot, calling it a stark violation of press freedom. “It makes no sense that in Quebec – we are not in a movie – there is a contract placed on the head of a journalist because he does his job,” Legault said. “This is not the Quebec we want.”
Legault urged provincial police to intensify their efforts against organised crime, emphasizing the importance of protecting journalists.
Vincent Marissal, a former colleague of Renaud and now a provincial politician, praised the journalist’s integrity. “Daniel is rigorous, not the type to make noise, but he clearly unsettles the wrong people. That means he’s doing his job, but it’s no reason to put a price on his head.”
The incident underscores the dangers faced by journalists reporting on organised crime, even in societies that value press freedom. Renaud’s courage and commitment to his work continue to resonate, as the province grapples with the implications of Silva’s shocking confession. China’s Silver Economy Booms, but Profit Remains Elusive
