iloubnan - Estonians were kidnapped by 3 Lebanese and a Syrian for a ransom, Al Hayat - April 14, 2011

According to judicial sources, the kidnapping of the Estonians was carried out to demand a ransom, 'Al Hayat' daily reported on Thursday.

the kidnappers mistaked the Estonians for British and French tourists when they carried out the operation in March, the sources added.

The seven Estonians were kidnapped by a gang of 3 Lebanese and a Syrian and are still in custody, the sources said without indicating whether the abducted are still on Lebanese territories.

Seven suspect in the abduction operation have told the police that they were promised a big amount of money for the abduction.

Investigations have highlighted links between the abductors and Darwish Khanjar, the waned man who was killed by security forces last week. "The abductor were with Khanjar during the robbery operation; however, they managed to escape," the sources said.