Police in southern Russia's city of Astrakhan have detained two men accused of trying to kidnap the 4-year-old son of a Dutch citizen for ransom, according to reports Wednesday by the Interior Ministry and the Investigative Committee.
One of the suspects had earlier worked as a driver for the Dutch businessman in Astrakhan, in the Volga Delta, and was acquainted with his family, the Interior Ministry said.
The two men, Astrakhan residents aged 32 and 36, allegedly purchased imitation handguns, masks, a getaway car and selected a location where they planned to keep the child. They followed the family for some time, monitoring the alleged targets' routine, the law enforcement agencies said.
The suspects allegedly planned to seize the child near his home and later to send a ransom note to the family with demands for 15 million rubles ($220,000).
The two men were seized by police after pulling on masks and, imitation guns in hands, headed toward the child and his mother, the law enforcement agencies said. The statements did not specify how police learned of the attempted kidnapping, or whether the suspects were detained by officers who simply happened to be at the scene.
The Interior Ministry identified the suspects as nationals of Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic in the Caucasus.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
