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A Norwegian man kidnapped in Alicante has been rescued by the Policía Nacional just 72 hours after his abduction, in an operation targeting the Swedish criminal organisation known as Dalen. The group is allegedly linked to international drug and arms trafficking and is accused of demanding a ransom of about 800,000 Norwegian kroner, roughly €70,000.

 

The case reached Spanish authorities through the 24 hour phone line of the kidnapping and extortion unit, when a Norwegian liaison officer in Spain reported that a Norwegian citizen had been taken in the province of Alicante. According to police, the suspects first stole the victim’s dogs and asked for money for their return. When he refused to pay, they escalated to kidnapping him.

 

From there, the situation became more violent. Officers say the alleged kidnappers contacted a relative in Norway and a friend in Alicante, sending images and videos showing the victim being beaten and “threatened with death” if the ransom was not paid. Negotiators moved quickly to gain control of all communications and carefully manage timings in order to secure the man’s release without any money changing hands.

 

The victim was eventually freed and taken to a medical centre, where doctors treated him for numerous injuries to his face and chest. Police then moved in on the suspects. Four alleged members of the gang were arrested in the car park of a shopping centre in the city of Alicante. One of them was carrying the kidnapped man’s identity documents, while another was wearing the same shoes seen in the video sent to the family.

 

The detainees have been brought before the courts as suspected perpetrators of kidnapping, robbery with violence and intimidation, assault and membership of a criminal organisation. Three of the four have been remanded in custody while the investigation continues under the supervision of the judicial authorities.

 

 

 

Image: Policía Nacional