Mozambique: Electronic scams continue throughout the country
in file CoM
The South African press last week reported the arrest by local police of Mozambican businessman Mohamed Bakhir Ayoob on 27 charges, including using a false passport and drug trafficking.
The 33-year-old Mozambican was arrested in Maputo in 2012 on suspicion of masterminding several kidnappings, but was later freed shortly afterwards.
Police General Command reacted to events this Tuesday, but have not so far offered any confirmation.
“Inquiries are being made by entities involved in criminal investigations in the case of the National Criminal Investigation Service, to understand the real contours of what may have occurred in South African territory,” Inacio Dina said, adding, however, that, if confirmed, Bakhir Ayoob could be extradited under existing agreements between Mozambique and South Africa.
Mohamed Bakhir was arrested in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 23 November with passports in three different names, a large amount of drugs and an unspecified number of gemstones.
Ayoob was arrested in Maputo by the Investigation and Information Department (DEI) for abduction crimes in 2012, but was only held for nine days. He was released by the Judicial Court of Maputo Province in Matola on Term of Identity and Residence grounds, despite being suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of the owners of Armazéns Machava, Armazéns Favorita, and Delta Trading.
Ayood is due to appear in court in South Africa in February of next year. If convicted, he faces between 12 and 18 years in prison.
Ayoob’s ex-wife Zeinab Bakhir has told “O País” newspaper that she is separated from Ayoob and unaware of his whereabouts, much less his activities. She said that Ayoob’s family too have long since distanced themselves from him.
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