POLICE RESCUE THREE KIDNAP VICTIMS, ARREST SEVEN SUSPECTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The police have arrested seven foreigners
and rescued three Bangladeshi men who were kidnapped early this month.

The victims, aged 30 and 38, were rescued in separate raids in Bandar Sunway
near here Friday, and Cameron Highlands in the state of Pahang on Nov 10.

The suspects comprised Bangladeshis and Indonesians.

Three of the foreigners were nabbed at a unit of the Lagoon Perdana
Apartments in Bandar Sunway Friday afternoon, before two of the victims were
released from a house in the vicinity.

A police team which rescued the victims at 1.15pm, found them lethargic and
weary, as a result of constant beatings and being chained at the hands and feet.

The police also found machetes and knives at the house.

When met by reporters at the scene, the victims said they were only fed
twice a day, after which their mouths were taped.

They said they were forced to contact their families back home as the
kidnappers demanded for ransom to secure their release -- despite almost
RM32,500 (US$9,628) having been deposited into the bank account of one of the
suspects.

Fortunately for the victims, a friend who knew the suspects, took pity on
them and lodged police reports on Nov 5, in Brickfields and Putra Perdana.

Meanwhile, the police rescued the other Bangladeshi victim -- who was
kidnapped here on Nov 8 -- at a vegetable farm near Ringlet in Cameron Highlands
last Tuesday.

Four people, comprising Bangladeshis and Indonesians, who had received a
RM25,000 (US$7,406) ransom from the victim's family, were arrested to facilitate
investigations.

In confirming the arrests, city CID chief Ku Chin Wah said the police
conducted the raids after receiving reports of the missing foreigners.
-- BERNAMA