Naharnet: Syrian Freed in Ablah to Bring Ransom and Win Release of his Brothers, Employee

by Naharnet Newsdesk 12 February 2012, 10:15

A Syrian kidnapped in the Bekaa town of Taanayel was set free at dawn Sunday for the purpose of providing the abductees with a ransom in return for the release of his two brothers and their employee, the National News Agency reported.
The four men - brothers Osama, Imad and Hisham Abdul Raouf and their employee Khaled al-Hamadeh - were kidnapped at gunpoint in Taanayel on Saturday night as they were heading to the Masnaa border crossing following a two-day visit to Lebanon.
NNA said the kidnappers released 50-year-old Osama at 1:30 am on the Ablah main road tasking him with bringing a 2-million-dollar ransom in return for the release of his brothers and al-Hamadeh.
An Nahar daily said Sunday that the four Syrians were in their black Mazda four-wheeler carrying the 801162 Syrian license plate when gunmen in a green Envoy SUV intercepted them and kidnapped them.
It added that the Mazda is registered in Osama’s name.