Five people arrested in the west Thessaloniki since they are accused of kidnapping and unlawfully detaining a foreigner whom they released after paying a sum of money in the amount of 2,400 euros by the victim’s relative. After contacting the Thessaloniki Security Department about the abduction and illegal detention, the police officers carried out an operation and identified the alleged perpetrators, who were unequivocally identified by the victim. These are two Pakistani citizens and three Pakistani citizens aged 18 to 46 who, using physical violence, extorted and demanded money from their victim, a Tunisian citizen, through his relatives in order to transport him inside the country with the country of final destination. Western Europe.

Two of the alleged perpetrators worked for a money transfer company and, knowing the purpose of the money transfer by the victim’s relatives, logged different send times and different recipient details to hide their true identity. During a police search in the house, two rods (metal and wooden) were found and seized. Relevant transaction receipts and video footage were confiscated from the company for further investigation.

The detainees have been prosecuted for separate offenses related to the illegal transportation and promotion of immigrants within the country, kidnapping, extortion, the creation of a criminal organization and illegal money laundering, and they will be transferred to the prosecutor’s office.

^{Source: APE-MEB}