Internal Security Forces General Commander Achraf Rifi said in an interview published on Thursday that the video showing the abducted Estonians asking for help is being carefully studied “as it might lead to new evidence that can help the investigation.”
“The [known] demand of the kidnappers is to receive a ransom, but they did not specify its amount or the payment method,” Rifi told As-Safir newspaper.
The ISF commander stressed that the ransom might be a cover for the real demand of the kidnappers, adding that the ISF are taking all possibilities into consideration.
Rifi also said that half of the kidnappers have been arrested but the others are still free.
“No conclusive evidence clarifies if the Estonians are still in Lebanon.”
An unauthenticated video uploaded to YouTube late Tuesday showed seven Estonians kidnapped last month in eastern Lebanon begging Lebanese, Saudi, Jordanian and French leaders to help them return home.
The seven men, who were on a cycling holiday, went missing on March 23 in the eastern Bekaa Valley after entering Lebanon from Syria. The motive for their abduction remains unclear.
Eleven Lebanese were charged last week with the kidnapping.
A previously unheard of group, Haraket Al-Nahda Wal-Islah (Movement for Renewal and Reform), has claimed responsibility and demanded an unspecified ransom to free the men. The claim has not been authenticated by security officials.
Authorities reportedly said the Estonians may have been moved across the porous border to Syria.
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