Following the abduction of an 18-year-old Afghan in Tehran and a ransom demand directed at his family, Iranian Intelligence Police reported conducting a special operation that led to the youth’s rescue and the arrest of the kidnappers.
According to the Afghan Voice Agency (AVA), the head of Tehran’s Intelligence Police stated that the victim was kidnapped by several individuals after crossing the Taybad border and arriving at the South Terminal. The abductors later sent a video showing the young man being tortured while demanding 20 million tomans from his relatives.
Officials said that police identified the hostage’s location by monitoring a suspect’s bank account. During a targeted operation, the victim was freed and the kidnappers were detained. The arrested individuals are now being interrogated by authorities.
Experts warn that this incident reflects a larger pattern of human trafficking networks operating in Iran and preying on newly arrived Afghan migrants.
Author’s summary: The kidnapping of an Afghan youth in Tehran underscores ongoing threats from human trafficking groups exploiting vulnerable migrants in the region.