Spanish police have arrested two French nationals in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of a Moroccan national for 11 days in April 2023 at a farm in Torrox in the Costa del Sol, Malaga, according to media citing a Spanish prosecutor’s statement.
Following a joint investigation conducted by Spanish and French authorities, two suspects, both 39 years old and 43 years old, were arrested and charged with kidnapping, torture, and illegal possession of firearms.
The victim, according to reports, was subjected to severe physical abuse during his captivity. He was denied access to food and water, and his ear was partially cut off in an attempt to extort a ransom of 1.4 million euros from his family.
The incident was reported to the relevant authorities by the victim’s family, who had received a video showing the victim bound with cables, gagged, and covered in bruises.
Upon searching the suspects’ residence, police discovered an AK-47 assault rifle, three handguns, and a sizable quantity of ammunition.
The Costa del Sol region is known for attracting international drug traffickers, and recent years have seen an increase in violent conflicts that have drawn the attention of Spanish authorities.