The Daily Star - Kidnappers release son of herbal drug firm owner, July 2 2012

BEIRUT: The son of the owner of a well-known herbal remedies company kidnapped last week was released over the weekend in east Lebanon. The National News Agency said a mediator had managed to help secure the release of Ibrahim al-Atat, the son of Zein al-Atat. The younger Atat was set free by the kidnappers near Hawsh Tal Safieh in Baalbek. Atat was kidnapped on June 21 by gunmen near the highway to the Bekaa Valley. Security sources said Atat had been driving a Hummer between the villages of Sofar and Mdeirej at night when a four-wheel-drive vehicle intercepted him. Three gunmen emerged from the four-wheel-drive and forced Atat to step out of the vehicle before abducting him. They did not take the two other men, Wael Abdul-Khaleq and Atat’s cousin Mahmoud al-Atat, in the SUV. The sources said the kidnappers drove off in the direction of Beirut. Mahmoud al-Atat told a local television station that his cousin’s kidnappers claimed to be Army Intelligence personnel, adding that their faces were not covered. According to local media, Zein al-Atat denied that any ransom had been paid to secure his son’s release. Kidnappings have become increasingly common in recent weeks. In one incident in mid-June, a Lebanese Army soldier was abducted from Beirut’s southern suburbs, taken to the Bekaa, and released a few hours later.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Jul-02/179001-kidnappers-release-son-of-herbal-drug-firm-owner.ashx#axzz1zRdo2Sz1