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4 on trial over businessman’s kidnap

Four Bangladeshi men allegedly kidnapped a compatriot businessman and forced him to transfer Dh17,000 to them after threatening to kill him, a court heard on Wednesday.

The four defendants, including a welder, two drivers and a worker, allegedly lured the 32-year-old complainant to meeting them in Al Quoz Industrial Area. From there, they took him to a labour accommodation cluster and then to Sharjah where he was held for two days.

The accused released the complainant only after his sister transferred Dh17,000 to the welder’s brother in Bangladesh.

The defendants, aged between 26 and 48 years, are also accused of robbing Dh3,000 from the complainant.

They faced charges of kidnap, illegal confinement and forced robbery in the Court of First Instance.

The complainant told the prosecutor that he was in Al Barsha that day in January when the welder called him on his mobile phone and requested to meet him in Al Quoz. It was about 3pm.

The welder was with his co-accused and a runaway accomplice. They had tea together at a restaurant and then they took him to the labour accommodation.

They threatened to throw him down from the rooftop if he screamed and that they would kill him and throw his body in the dumpster if he did not make his family in Australia send them Dh17,000.

The complainant called a friend in the UAE and his sister in Australia and told them about the defendants’ claims. He was then taken by force to a room in Sharjah where was confined for two days.

After confirming that the money was transferred by his sister, the defendants let the complainant walk away. A police corporal said that they were informed about the kidnap by the complainant’s friend. Through investigation, they arrested the welder first and he led them to the others.

The welder claimed that the complainant had owed him some money and had been evading him. That was why he kidnapped him to force him to repay the amount.

mary@khaleejtimes.com