A kidnapping ring based in Saudi Arabia abducted a Bangladeshi expatriate worker and demanded ransom from the victim’s family, torturing him in front of them on a video call.
Several Bangladeshis are involved in the kidnapping ring, according to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
RAB said Saudi police rescued Abul Hossain, 45, on July 9, and arrested four members of the kidnapping ring. RAB arrested a member of the ring in Demra, Dhaka, the same day.
The victim is currently receiving medical treatment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Expatriate worker Abul Hossain was abducted in Riyadh on July 8. The kidnappers kept him hostage in a small, dark room, and tortured him on a video call with his wife and brother, who live in Sonaimuri upazila of Noakhali district.
The kidnappers threatened to kill Abul Hossain unless they received Tk5 lakh from the family.
RAB-3 Commanding Officer Lt Colonel Rakibul Hasan said Abul’s family had agreed to pay the ransom to save his life. Subsequently, the kidnappers sent them four mobile banking numbers and the family sent Tk1.02 lakh.
When Abul was still not released, his family lodged a complaint with RAB. The law enforcement agency traced the mobile banking numbers to Abdullah Al Mahmud, 35, and arrested him in Demra.
A RAB-3 team recovered three mobile phones, 13 SIMs, and Tk1.02 lakh from Abdullah Al Mahmud.
There are several such abduction rings in Saudi Arabia and RAB forces are working to identify and arrest Bangladeshi members of the ring, RAB said.
