Saudi Gazette report
QATIF — A Saudi businessman was kidnapped in Egypt by an armed gang on Monday, Al-Sharq reported.
Al-Ismailiyah Police Department Director Col. Mahmoud Khalil said the Egyptian Ministry of Interior said the Saudi businessman Hasan Ali Ahmad Al-Sanad, aged 58 years old, was kidnapped and held at gunpoint on Misr-Al-Ismailiyah Road.
“The businessman was with his driver heading to Al-Suwais Governorate when his car was stopped by an armed gang, which dragged him and his driver out of the car and bundled them into a private car and whisked them away,” said Khalil.
He added the police department received reports of the kidnapping from the businessman’s company in Egypt. “The businessman’s company called and said the businessman was supposed to attend a meeting on Monday but had not showed up. We were able to find the kidnappers’ cars after speaking to witnesses who described it,” said Khalil.
He added the police are still searching for the businessman and his driver. There is no trace of their whereabouts so far.
“The businessman is the owner of Al-Shams Hot Sauce. He arrived in Cairo four days prior to the kidnapping. He owns a villa in the fifth compound in Cairo. He has several investments in Cairo. However, we do not suspect that the motive of the kidnappers was political or personal,” said Khalil.
He added the police are aware that the businessman’s previous business partner was a lieutenant general and he has been in a kidnapping incident before.
“The lieutenant general’s three-year-old son was previously kidnapped and the kidnappers asked for SR3 million. The ransom was paid and the son was retrieved. The police are looking to see if there is a connection between the two incidents,” said Khalil.
He added the kidnapping was most likely for money. “The police have searched the businessman’s apartment and have looked into the identity and history of the driver. The family members of the kidnapper said he does not have enemies or anyone who would want to kidnap him,” said Khalil.
