Mauritius teenager held hostage in Iran freed, in good health

Iran’s ambassador to Madagascar, Hassan Alibakshi, has announced that the 17-year-old Mauritius teenager, held hostage by a group of people in Iran, has been found.

According to the diplomat, the teenager is in good health and under the care of Iranian authorities. Procedures for his repatriation to Mauritius are reportedly underway.

The teenager had travelled to Iran from Dubai with a one-way ticket, according to the Iranian embassy.

He reportedly intended to join an Iranian woman he had befriended during a stay in Madagascar.

However, he was “isolated” by strangers for reasons that are still unknown.

The kidnappers had reportedly asked for a ransom of Rs 25 million – but this was eventually brought down to Rs4.7 million.

The kidnapping was unveiled on 13 March 2023 when the teenager’s father was arrested with the money by the Custom Anti Narcotics Section of the Mauritius Revenue Authority at SSR International airport en route Iran to pay the ransom.

Source: Defi Media