Bank Manager 'Freed for Ransom' after Several-Day Kidnap Ordeal
Mahmoud Abou Jakh, the manager of al-Mawarid bank branch in Chtaura was freed Thursday evening in return for a ransom after he was kidnapped earlier this week by unknown assailants, state-run National News Agency reported.
A $200,000 ransom was paid for the release of Abou Jakh, NNA said.
He was later taken to the Ablah army barracks in the Bekaa for interrogation about his kidnap ordeal.
Later on Thursday, the Army Command issued a statement saying Abou Jakh was "liberated" after a series of raids by army intelligence agents in the Bekaa border town of Brital.
"He is being interrogated to unveil the circumstances of the abduction while the kidnappers are being pursued in order to be arrested and referred to the relevant judicial authorities," the army added.
The man was abducted at gunpoint by unknown assailants riding a black four-wheeler near the West Bekaa town of al-Rawda.
The kidnappers left Abou Jakh's Toyota behind.
Earlier this month, security forces arrested the ringleader of a gang that had kidnapped a child from the town of Amchit near Jbeil, north of Beirut. Authorities also managed to recover a $50,000 ransom that had been paid to secure the release of the boy.
Y.R.
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