Bahraini student abducted in Malaysia found safe
Ali, 20, was reportedly kidnapped by three men from university
- Habib Toumi, bureau chief
- Published: 12:02 February 15, 2014
Manama: A Bahraini student reportedly abducted in Malaysia 17 days ago is now free, a Bahrain police statement has said.
“Bahraini student Ali Ahmad Al Nashaba was freed in coordination with Malaysian security authorities,” the interior ministry statement said.
“The Bahraini police team in charge of following up on efforts to release the student had contacted the Malaysian police about the search and investigation procedures, which resulted in locating the site where he had been detained and releasing the student on Friday.”
Ali was taken to hospital for checkup, while procedures for his return to Bahrain are underway, it added. “The Interior Ministry expressed thanks and appreciation to the Malaysian government and foreign ministry for their efforts that led to the student’s release,” the statement said.
According to reports, the 20-year-old electrical engineering student was snatched by three men on January 28 from Linton University in Kuala Lumpur. His family was initially given 24 hours to pay 20,000 Malaysian ringgit (BD2,260, Dh22,016) to his abductors who threatened to chop his fingers off if they failed to pay up. The ransom demand was later increased to BD3,000. Ali is expected to return home to Bahrain soon alongside the investigation team dispatched to Kuala Lumpur.
Kidnap agony for relatives |
RELATIVES of a Bahraini student abducted in Malaysia are fearing the worst, six days after paying the BD3,000 ransom.
Ali Ahmed Al Nashaba has still not been found 15 days after being snatched by three men from Linton University in Kuala Lumpur, where he studies electrical engineering.
A city-wide search for the 20-year-old has been underway by the Royal Malaysian Police in co-ordination with the Bahraini Foreign Affairs Ministry and Interior Ministry since January 28.
His parents were initially given 24 hours to pay 20,000 Malaysian ringgit (around BD2,260) to his abductors or they would chop his fingers off, but the ransom demand was later increased to BD3,000.
His father Ahmed Al Nashaba told the GDN yesterday that he deposited the money in his personal bank account six days ago, but no one withdrew the cash.
"The money was transferred to my bank account but no one has taken any cash for the last six days, which is worrying us," he said.
"The kidnappers had told us to deposit the money in the bank so they could use the ATM card, which my son has, to withdraw the cash.
"But that has not happened. No one has come forward."
He said the kidnappers have been under the radar for days as they have not communicated with his relative in Malaysia, who was their point of contact.
"The road is dark for us," he said.
"We have no clue about our son despite the ransom amount deposited in the bank."
The heartbroken father says he is desperate to hear news of his son, adding he prays for his safe return with every passing day.
Last week, Kuala Lumpur City police Criminal Investigation Department deputy chief ACP Khairi Ahrasa said there was no report of a student being kidnapped.
He was quoted in The Malaysian Insider saying it was a rumour and there was "no such case".
The GDN earlier reported that Malaysian police had asked Ali's family not to send any money to the kidnappers.
Bahrain does not have an embassy in Malaysia so the country's diplomatic mission in Thailand is co-ordinating with authorities in Kuala Lumpur. sandy@gdn.cm.bh
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