Two Afghan nationals held captive for 13 days by a gang of kidnappers in Iran have been rescued, according to Sardar Ali Valipour Gudarzai, head of Tehran’s criminal investigation department. Authorities have arrested a nine-member gang connected to the abduction.
Gudarzai told the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) that the ordeal began when an Afghan citizen reported his 26-year-old brother missing after the young man went to meet a woman he had recently met through social media. The victim’s phone was turned off shortly after the meeting, and a friend who accompanied him also disappeared.
“The man reported that he later received a video showing his brother and the friend being tortured. The kidnappers demanded $20,000 for their release, threatening that he would never see them again if he failed to pay,” Gudarzai said.
The case was opened at Tehran’s criminal investigation department, where detectives began their inquiries by checking local hospitals and reviewing available evidence.
“Further investigation revealed that the two individuals were last seen in Shahrak-e Gharb and left the area in a Pride car. Detectives tracked down the car’s owner, who turned out to be a ride-hailing driver. He disclosed that he had dropped the men off in Shahriar,” Gudarzai said.
While reviewing surveillance footage, police received new information: the kidnappers had contacted the brother again and provided a bank account for the ransom transfer.
“Officers acted immediately to identify the account owner,” Gudarzai said. “After obtaining a judicial warrant, they arrested the suspect at his hideout.”
The investigation revealed that the gang included Afghan nationals, in addition to others. The two victims were held in captivity and subjected to torture throughout their ordeal.
