Police arrest 11 kidnappers and free tortured 17 year-old hostage from car trunk

Police have freed a 17 year-old boy from the hands of kidnappers. The boy had been tortured, denied food and been kept in hiding for three weeks. Although during negotiations the kidnappers agreed on a ransom of $600,000, $400,000 less than originally demanded, the desperate father went to police for help. He also hired one of the country's most famous private detectives. "I managed to gather the money demanded, but the way I was to deliver it to the kidnappers did not guarantee the safety of my son," said the father. In a police raid 11 kidnappers were captured who led officers to the car trunk where the teen was being held. It is possible the men were working on behalf of local gangs connected with the mafia. A similar incident took place in Lomianki in July where a pregnant woman was kidnapped and later released for $200,000 ransom. According to the prosecutor's office, it is possible kidnapping is becoming a popular way of earning money for the mafia. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 1) J.K.