A Romanian from Germany who allegedly stole 2.5 million euros worth of cigarettes from a network of coordinated smugglers in Russia has been kidnapped and tortured into revealing where he hid the goods, German tabloid Bild reported, as cited by News.ro.

Desperate to explain to their superiors, who were allegedly in Russia, where the goods had gone, the smugglers lured the Romanian into the parking lot of a furniture store in Harbsen, Lower Saxony, and dragged them into a van. They took their hostage to a warehouse in Langenhagen, where they brutally tortured the 59-year-old man.

The events took place in November 2022.

The Romanian was tied up, beaten with an iron rod, held by the neck and kicked. When he fainted, the torturers poured cold water over him. The Romanian escaped with broken bones and injuries, but continued to say he was innocent. In a moment of inattention on the part of those who held him captive, he managed to send an emergency SMS.

Police eventually managed to free the man and arrest a 46-year-old man from the Republic of Moldova at the scene, who is currently being tried in the Hanover Regional Court and is refusing to speak.

Separate proceedings have been opened against his accomplices.

As for the Romanian, he was taken to the hospital with head injuries and broken arms and ribs. He was included in the witness protection program as a key witness against the cigarette mafia. However, the Romanian did not want to testify before the court and, moreover, allegedly disappeared, writes Bild.

The trial will continue on August 30.