The kidnapping of Thalib Abbas, a 78-year-old businessman who was abducted from his home in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on April 14, ultimately had a happy ending when the police were able to free him after he was forced to spend five days locked up by his kidnappers.
Thalib was found by police in a house in Depok. Police arrested six of the eight men they believe were responsible for the kidnapping plot.
Police believe the kidnappers consisted mainly of debt collectors who were after Thalib’s son, Kemal Rafli. After they were unable to find Kemal, they abducted his father and demanded the family transfer a ransom of Rp 400 million into a Mandiri bank account.
The family had already transferred Rp 25 million into the account when police were able to track down Thalib’s location as well as his kidnappers.
Police are now saying that two members of the Indonesian military were involved in the kidnapping plot, both having been promised Rp 10 million for completing their main task, which was getting Talib into the kidnappers’ car.
Jakarta Police Commissioner Teuku Arsya Gaddafi confirmed the news of the military officers’ involvement, identifying one as M, a sergeant major, and P, a colonel. Both are believed to be members of the Paldam Army Unit.
Arsya said the kidnapping kidnapping plot was masterminded by a man identified by the initials MAM who recruited other criminals to kidnap Talib, to whom he promised a 30% cut of the Rp 400 million ransom.
Army Major General Basya M Fuad told Kompas that if their involvement was proven, both officers would be punished in accordance with military law.
