2 million US dollars ransom for a citizen in As-Suwayda, to be released by 30 million Syrian pounds
As-Suwayda – North-Press Agency
In an unprecedented incident, a kidnapper gang in As-Suwayda governorate demand a ransom of 2 million US dollars, equivalent to about one billion and 200 million Syrian pounds, in exchange for the release of a citizen of the governorate, before being released, on Sunday, in exchange for a ransom of 30 million Syrian pounds.
Local sources in As-Suwayda governorate, in an interview with North-Press, said: “The family of Khaldoun al-Qadi had received a call from unidentified people asking for two million dollars in exchange for al-Qadi’s return alive”.
The sources, who asked not to be identified, said that “al-Qadi’s family is considered a middle-income family, even though the kidnapped person worked as a goldsmith, but his financial situation is acceptable, while the amount required as a ransom is considered as a great fortune that is not available for his family, even if they sold everything they own.”
The sources explained, “The kidnapped person, Khaldoun al-Qadi is married and has a daughter, and he supports four families, one of them is his brother’s family, who died in an explosion in the neighborhood of Jaramana in Damascus.”
On the other hand, sources close to al-Qadi’s family clarified, “several local authorities intervened, and then he was released on Sunday evening, in exchange for 30 million Syrian pounds,” without mentioning any other details.
The kidnapping was conducted by three gunmen intercepted al-Qadi’s car at the end of last month, near the branch of Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party at the entrance to the northern city of As-Suwayda, where they opened fire at the car’s engine and forced him at gunpoint to move into their car, then they drove him to an unknown place.
The kidnapped person, Khaldoun al-Qadi
The Call
Al-Qadi’s family issued a call appealing to “All the honorable men of the Mountain (Jabal al-Arab/Jabal al-Druze in As-Suwayda governorate)! A call to all the people of the human conscience in this governorate!”
As the call was circulated on social media sites, stipulated, “A call to all sons of As-Suwayda who think that sweeping flood will not reach them, and to anyone who thinks that he, his family and his children are safe behind closed doors; while keeps silent in front of what is going on in full view of kidnappings, extortion and abuse of dignity of people and their lives and livelihoods. A call for all of you to help and work to liberate Khaldoun al-Qadi from the hands of the kidnappers”.
It’s noteworthy to mention that As-Suwayda is witnessing a recurrence of kidnappings, especially for ransom, where gangs demand tens of millions in exchange for the release of the kidnapped people, who are often subjected to many assaults and torture, sometimes had reached sexual assaults, in an attempt to exert pressure on their families to pay the required sums of money.