Prague Police Rescue Hostage After Dramatic Kidnapping
PRAGUE, Czech Republic – A 23-year-old man was kidnapped Thursday in Prague by four individuals who then demanded a 200,000 crown ransom from his family, threatening to physically harm him – including a chilling threat to cut off his finger, according to police.
The victim was lured into a meeting with the strangers, aged 22 to 35, under the false pretense of renting a car before being forced into a red vehicle, police spokesman Richard Hrdina told Blesk newspaper. “Four men kidnapped the informantS friend and demanded a ransom of 200,000 crowns for him, saying that if the amount is not paid, they will physically harm him,” Hrdina stated.
The kidnappers escalated their threats, extending them to the victim’s family and law enforcement. Following the report of the kidnapping, police launched an immediate and extensive search operation.
within approximately three hours, authorities located the suspects as they were crossing the Radotín bridge. Police surrounded the location, apprehended the four men, and successfully freed the hostage unharmed. A van was present at the scene, though its purpose remains unclear.
The four individuals are now facing suspicion of extortion and restriction of personal freedom. Police have released limited details regarding the case, and the relationship – if any – between the kidnappers and the victim, as well as the motive behind the abduction, remain unknown.
