Kidnapped businessman in Tartous faces execution threat

Mumtaz is considered one of the leading businessmen in Tartous. He runs an import-export office near the Tartous port and holds cooperation contracts with international entities, including the United Nations.

 The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported details of the abduction, stating that he was kidnapped while accompanied by his young son. Seven masked gunmen, riding in two vehicles, intercepted him at the entrance of his building. They beat him with the butts of their rifles in full view of the residents, then forced him to return home to hand over his child before taking him by force to an unknown location.

 The Observatory obtained a video showing the kidnappers exiting their vehicles and violently assaulting the victim before forcing him into one of the cars, amid the screams and pleas of neighborhood residents—confirming the crime took place publicly and in broad daylight.

 Although the incident initially appeared to be sectarian or retaliatory in nature, information obtained by the Observatory indicates the motives are purely financial and commercial.

 According to sources, the family received voice messages and photos via WhatsApp from the kidnappers, including direct threats to “gouge out his eyes” and “slaughter him” if a ransom of $80,000 was not paid within 24 hours, with threats to behead him and send his head to his family.

 a.k

ANHA