Five kidnappers who abducted two Chinese men in Tonga July 24 demanded $400,000 of ransom in order to release them from captivity, police statement says.
The victims, who are father and son were invited into a meeting at a residence in the village of ‘Umusi at Ma’ofanga, Tongatapu.
They were kidnapped during the meeting and remanded at a place out of Nuku’alofa, it says.
The accused had been arrested and charged with armed robbery on July 26. They are three naturalized Chinese men and two Tongans.
Investigation revealed T$400,000 had been paid by the relative of the victims to the accused.
Police recovered two cheques which amount to T$325,000 but could not be able to find the balance which was in cash.
Armed robbery is one of serious offences in Tonga which is punishable for 20 years’ imprisonment.
Police says the case is new. All the accused have been remanding in custody for a month.
Tongans on social media say this is a wakeup call for Tongan policy and law makers to review “Policies and Legislation to protect our children and our island kingdom”.
One commenter on Facebook says: “It may be vey alarming to us but it’s a normal routine for these professional criminals! How can our small countries protect our Pacific people and children from this negative exposures”
