Russian police have detained several suspects accused of attempting to kidnap Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Andrei Mostovoy, and then later abducting a local businessman for ransom, law enforcement authorities said Monday.
Local media reported that a masked group tried to seize Mostovoy outside an upscale grocery store last Thursday, but the footballer managed to escape and alert police.
Two days later, on Saturday, the same group allegedly abducted Sergei Selegen, a construction company founder and son-in-law of State Duma lawmaker Vyacheslav Makarov. The suspects reportedly handcuffed the 50-year-old Selegen and demanded a ransom of 10 million rubles ($126,200). Selegen transferred 210,000 rubles ($2,650) at gunpoint.
Police said they tracked down a Toyota Land Cruiser and freed the victim while detaining four people.
Later on Monday, a fifth suspect was detained. While being questioned, he claimed he was told the operation was a “birthday prank” and that he did not know the others involved.
Others said they had been recruited via an anonymous Telegram channel, promised half of the ransom as payment and were told they were “punishing drug dealers.”
An Interior Ministry video showed one suspect telling interrogators the alleged mastermind was “not from Russia.” Authorities have not confirmed the identity or whereabouts of the person believed to have ordered the kidnappings.
Neither the Interior Ministry nor the Investigative Committee identified the victims by name.
The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said the men face criminal charges including kidnapping, robbery and attempted kidnapping. A court is expected to decide on their pretrial detention in the coming days.
Neither Mostovoy, 27, nor Zenit St. Petersburg have commented publicly on the incident.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
