Kidnap boy's father paid ransom (From Watford Observer)

Kidnap boy's father paid ransom

2:59am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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The father of a five-year-old British boy kidnapped in Pakistan paid a £110,000 ransom for his release, according to dramatic details that have emerged about the abduction.

Raja Naqqash Saeed, 28, whose son Sahil Saeed was found safe this week after being snatched a fortnight ago, travelled to Paris on the instruction of the kidnappers and handed over the money, Spanish police said.

Officers saw him make the transfer, watched as the recipients divided up the cash and later swooped on a number of suspects, according to a statement.

Sahil, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was found wandering alone in a field in the Punjab region of Pakistan on Tuesday and was handed over to police.

He has since been looked after by British officials and is reportedly going to fly into the UK with his father on Thursday.

Spanish police said three people - two Pakistani men and a Romanian woman - were arrested when they raided a flat in Constanti, around 60 miles from Barcelona, after the youngster was freed. Around £105,000 in cash was recovered.

Two of the suspects had been followed from Paris, and all three are due to appear in court in Spain on Thursday. Two other people accused of helping the kidnappers were also arrested in Paris.

Sahil was on holiday with his father and other relatives in Jhelum, Punjab region, when he was snatched by gunmen on March 4.

Interpol alerted Spanish authorities to the abduction and discovered the first call demanding a ransom was made from Spain. A series of other calls were made from the country.

The boy's extended family reportedly rallied round to raise the ransom demand, selling jewellery and heirlooms.