Military personnel kidnap Malaysian businessman for Rp 300 million ransom, threaten him with lethal injection

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A shocking story of Indonesian military personnel engaging in a brutal kidnapping emerged this weekend. A Malaysian citizen, identified with the initials SB, was kidnapped by members of the military and civilians on July 15 (right before Idul Fitri) and kept in captivity in a house in Depok for seven days until he could arrange for his ransom to be paid.

During those days, SB was not allowed to change his clothes and was only given rice to eat. His captors allegedly threatened him by saying that they would give him a lethal injection if he did not pay up.

Police have already arrested S, one of the military members involved in the kidnapping, as well as civilians with the initials FB, YL and KR. They are still hunting several other suspects, including another member of the military.

“Perpetrators FB, YL, and KR brought the victim to the house in Depok, then held him there for seven days. There, SB was intimidated, both physically and psychologically, with guns and the threat of lethal injection,” said City Police Commissioner Krishna Murti at a press conference on Sunday, as quoted by Kompas.

The captors wanted SB to pay them Rp 300 million for his freedom, which he eventually agreed to. The businessman then contacted his family in Malaysia to send money, but they were only able to come up with Rp 100 million to give the kidnappers.

The money was then sent to the bank accounts of several of the suspects using money transfer services. After the money was received, SB was allowed to leave. His kidnappers told him to take a taxi home.

Commissioner Krishna added that the kidnappers also stole a car and jewelry from the victim. 

The civilians suspects were arrested last Thursday, including husband and wife FB and YL, who were arrested at their home in Cibubur. KR, a former police officer, was arrested in Depok.

S, one of the military members of the kidnapping crew, was caught after SB’s car was found near S’ house in Pasar Minggu. 

The head of the Information Office of the army, Brigadier General Wuryanto, confirmed to Tribunnews that one of the military officers involved in the plot was a member of Kopassus, the army’s elite forces unit, while the other was a rogue member of the Army Strategic Reserve Command.



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