Kidnappers of Estonians were after Ransom, Warrants Issued Against Suspects

The ring that kidnapped the seven Estonian men last month carried out its operation to demand a big ransom after thinking they were British or French tourists, judicial sources told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat.

The sources said in remarks published Thursday that the Estonians are still in the custody of their kidnappers – three Lebanese and one Syrian.

Although the raids carried out by the Internal Security Forces in the Bekaa valley where the tourists were kidnapped have ended, investigators found links between the abductors and slain wanted Lebanese Darwish Khanjar.

Khanjar was killed on Sunday night during a gunfight with security forces in the Bekaa town of Majdal Anjar after several men, including Khanjar, robbed at gunpoint the vehicle of a woman.

The judicial sources told al-Hayat that one of the Lebanese kidnappers and the Syrian suspect were with Khanjar when the clashes occurred. However, they managed to escape.

The woman has identified them, according to the sources.

They said that seven suspects that are in police custody told investigators that the Lebanese man had promised them with big rewards to carry out the kidnapping operation.

Military Examining Magistrate Judge Fadi Sawan interrogated on Thursday the seven suspects, including a Syrian, and issued arrest warrants against them. Another warrant was issued against five fugitives, involved in the case.