Just in: Three kidnapping suspects presented in Beira, Mozambique – Watch

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Just in: Three kidnapping suspects presented in Beira, Mozambique – Watch

5:32 CAT | 18 Nov 2022

Screenshot: Miramar

The Mozambican criminal investigation police presented today in Beira three detainees suspected of involvement in kidnappings in several cities in the center of the country.

One of them is a 38-year-old man, who allegedly formed part of “a vast group that had been carrying out this type of crime in Beira, Chimoio and Quelimane”, said Orfeu Sitoe, a police spokesman.

One of the last kidnappings in which this man was allegedly involved, and which led to his arrest, was that of a university student, in the city of Beira, in May.

The case generated public protest, as it happened after other kidnappings, creating a feeling of insecurity.

Among the three suspects presented is also a traditional healer who is the alleged owner of houses that served as captivity, where the student was held, in addition to other victims. A man who allegedly used his motorbike to deliver food for the victims in captivity is also in police custody.

There are still other suspects “who are at large, but the National Criminal Investigation Service [Sernic] already has leads and at any moment they will be neutralized”, added Sitoe.

Watch,

Mozambican Interior Minister Arsénia Massingue said in parliament on Thursday that the Mozambican authorities had registered 11 kidnappings and 27 arrests linked to crimes since January.

Maputo and other Mozambican cities, mainly the provincial capitals, have again been the scene of a wave of kidnappings since 2020, mainly targeting businessmen or their family members.

The Attorney General of the Republic, Beatriz Buchili, said in May that “some” police officers, investigators, lawyers and magistrates are suspected of involvement in kidnappings, adding that crimes have been increasing and that in some cases there are ramifications with Africa. southern.

According to the magistrate, there are victims “constantly blackmailed” even after being released, continuing to pay sums of money to ensure that they are not kidnapped again.

Source: Lusa