Police in Trondheim are investigating two cases of kidnapping involving Norwegian men in Lithuania. Both the victims and some of those arrested by Lithuanian and Swedish police are from Norway.
Geir Olav Granbo of the Sør-Trøndelag Police District told reporters over the weekend that at least two Norwegian citizens had been kidnapped in recent weeks. Lithuanian police freed one of the men early last week, a businessman from Trondheim, after raiding the Vilnius apartment where he was being held. He’s now back in Norway.
A second Norwegian is believed to have been kidnapped and held for ransom earlier but later was released. “We ask anyone with information on this case to contact us,” Granbo said.
Newspaper Aftenposten linked the kidnappings to car sales that went awry. Lithuanian police arrested a 36-year-old Norwegian man along with three Lithuanians. All four are being held in remand custody. Two more Norwegians believed tied to the kidnappings were also arrested in Sweden, plus two more Lithuanians. The 36-year-old reportedly has a police record of holding hostages for ransom earlier.
Views and News staff
