PETALING JAYA, July 27 — Six men accused of abducting a 44-year-old man and demanding a RM7 million ransom were brought before the Petaling Jaya Courts Complex today to face charges.
The suspects arrived under heavy police escort from the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters, accompanied by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) personnel in tactical gear.
Several family members were present at the court complex as the suspects were escorted into the building.
The six are expected to be charged before Sessions Court Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961.
On Sunday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said police had completed investigations into eight individuals linked to the kidnapping, which took place on July 17.
He said the Attorney-General's Chambers had directed on July 24 that six of the suspects be charged under the Kidnapping Act 1961.
The offence of kidnapping for ransom carries a prison sentence of between 30 and 40 years, as well as whipping, upon conviction.
Kumar said the remaining two suspects, a man and a woman, had been released and would instead testify as prosecution witnesses.
In a related development, the victim, who was rescued following the abduction, was detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 after police investigations uncovered his alleged links to a drug trafficking syndicate.
