Cruel kidnapping in Linz: The trial begins six months after the crime!

Cruel kidnapping in Linz: The trial begins six months after the crime!

A sensational trial has begun at the Linz regional court in which five defendants, including four men between the ages of 26 and 43 and a 41-year-old German, are charged with extortionate kidnapping and grievous bodily harm. The public prosecutor's office accuses them of kidnapping a Turkish citizen in Linz on April 1 because his brother owes an acquaintance 175,000 euros. The victim was brutalized and threatened with a pistol while the accomplices tried to extort the demanded sum Krone reports.

Brutal kidnapping and police action

The allegations are serious: According to the public prosecutor's office, the perpetrators waited in front of a bar for several hours to intercept the victim, who was later kidnapped. After the violent kidnapping, she was taken to Vienna in a box van. There, thanks to a tip from a companion, the victim was freed at the last minute while the police arrested the suspects. During the trial, the defendants stated that they knew nothing about the blackmail plans and were simply carrying out “orders”. However, a defendant who is believed to be the mastermind of the incident was declared incompetent and did not have to testify, reported the SN.

The defendant's defense is trying to put the allegations into perspective. Several defense attorneys argue that it was not an extortionate kidnapping but rather a debt collection, even if it was done using “illegal methods.” A verdict is expected on Friday, when the victim will also testify in court to demand €6,250 in damages. Under criminal law, the offense of extortionate kidnapping carries a prison sentence of ten to 20 years.