A gang of six Afghan nationals who kidnapped a Pakistani migrant who entered Turkey illegally and demanded $20,000 in ransom from his family has been remanded. The Consulate General of Pakistan in Istanbul had notified the city’s Public Prosecutor's Office on May 10 that Azeem A., 22, had been kidnapped and his family was asked for ransom money.
Turkish security forces took action and discovered that Azeem A. was collecting paper in the Sultangazi district of Turkey’s Istanbul after a Pakistani national who recognized the victim from his photograph said that he went to the Waste Collection and Storage Center in Ümraniye for a job.
A Pakistani national who recognized Azeem A.the victim from his photograph said that he went to the Waste Collection and Storage Center in Ümraniye for a job.
An operation was then launched in the area, which has a large Pakistani population.
It was then discovered that Azeem A. was abducted while collecting waste and Afghan suspect Zebiullah M. (25) was detained for suspicious activity. It was found that the family of Azeem A. was called from the suspect’s phone.
The gang released Azeem A. from the container he was being kept in for nine days when they saw that police had blockaded the area. Zebiullah M. confessed that they had kidnapped Azeem A. for $20,000 in ransom, and a meetup between the suspect and other gang members was organized. Five other suspects who came to the meetup point were also detained.
The six Afghan nationals were referred to the judiciary following security procedures and then arrested which was followed by Pakistani hostage Azeem A. being deported to his country.
