Chile's ECOH prosecutor's office filed charges against six people for the extortion kidnapping of a foreign citizen in Santiago on March 29. The kidnappers demanded nearly 100 million pesos from the victim's family and held him captive for seven days in Melipilla. Police rescued him on April 4, and all suspects were ordered held in preventive detention.
The Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and Homicide Teams (ECOH) formalized charges against four Venezuelans and two Chileans for extortion kidnapping and robbery with intimidation. The kidnapping took place on March 29 in Santiago, after which the suspects contacted the victim's family abroad to demand around 100 million pesos.
The Metropolitan Anti-Kidnapping Brigade of the Investigations Police (PDI) carried out the rescue on April 4 in Melipilla, following seven days of captivity. Subprefect Hassel Barrientos, head of the unit, confirmed the victim is in good health, though in shock and now at his residence.
Barrientos specified the foreigner endured physical injuries and intimidation with firearms, a chainsaw, and simulated electric shocks. 'It is important to highlight this joint work developed with the ECOH team from the Public Prosecutor's Office, which allows us to quickly identify the perpetrators and, through a rescue operation, find the victim in good health,' the police official stated.
The court ordered preventive prison for the six defendants and set a 100-day investigation period.
