Suspects allegedly demanded €15,000 per victim, with police reporting physical abuse, sexual violence and extortion.
Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in Bosnia and Herzegovina on suspicion of involvement in the kidnapping of five fellow Chinese citizens, from whom they allegedly demanded €15,000 each for their release, Bosnian media reported.
According to the Federation Police Administration (FUP), the five victims were kidnapped while being transported illegally through Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of an organized operation intended to take them onward to Italy.
Police said the victims were unlawfully held captive, physically and psychologically abused, and subjected to sexual violence and extortion. The kidnappers allegedly demanded €15,000 for each person’s release and threatened to kill them if the money was not paid. Some victims were also forced to send money through electronic payment applications.
As part of the investigation, on November 6, police searched residential and other properties in the Sarajevo municipality of Ilidža. The operation was conducted under orders from the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and under the supervision of the state prosecutor’s office. Mobile phones and cash in various currencies were seized.
The two Chinese nationals were detained on suspicion of involvement in organizing the illegal transportation of migrants. Following police processing, they were handed over to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Service for Foreigners’ Affairs.
The FUP has submitted a report to the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina against three individuals — two Chinese nationals and one Pakistani national — on suspicion of organizing a group involved in migrant smuggling.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are working with the Prosecutor’s Office to identify all individuals connected to the case and fully document the alleged criminal activities.
