Update: Romanian Police deny 15 Pakistanis are being held for ransom in Romania

The Romanian Police has denied on Tuesday the information that 15 Pakistanis are being held for ransom in Romania, information released on Monday by a Pakistani newspaper. IGPR claims there is no complaint filed in this case. Interior Ministry sources say the information is fake, as there is no such case.

On Monday, , tribune.com.pk informed that fifteen Pakistanis, who were en route to Germany, have been kidnapped for ransom in Romania and being tortured and starved by their captors, as the families of the abducted men told reporters.

“They were on their way to the EU from Turkey when they were kidnapped by some men in Romania,” said Saeeda Bibi, whose brother has been abducted, tribune.com.pk informs.

She added that now their kidnappers were demanding EUR 10,000 for the release of each of their loved ones.

Saeeda said her brother was travelling to the EU dreaming of a better life.

Azra, whose is among the affected families, said her son had paid to travel to Turkey and then onward to the EU. But the human traffickers left him in a place where he was nabbed by gunmen in Romania.

“We don’t have enough money for their release and urge human rights bodies and the Pakistani government to play their part in ensuring their release,” Saeeda said.

She added that the kidnappers had sent the families a video showing their loved ones being tortured and starved for four days.