Crime
A 25-year-old Belgian has been arrested in Brazil on suspicion of torture and extortion. He held a 24-year-old Canadian hostage for two days in an apartment in Rio de Janeiro. The suspect was captured at the airport when he tried to flee to Colombia.
Hans Renier
Journalist at HLN
Source: CNN Brasil, O GLobo, G1
The nightmare for the Canadian started on Tuesday, April 21, in a rental apartment in central Rio de Janeiro. The Belgian and the Canadian knew each other through the perpetrator’s brother. They had previously met in the Dominican Republic, then traveled together to Colombia and arrived in Brazil on April 17.
Once in Rio, the atmosphere completely changed. The Belgian held the Canadian hostage for 48 hours and demanded 5,000 dollars (4,270 euros). To enforce that demand, the perpetrator worked extremely hard.
Threats
The Canadian was reportedly stabbed with a knife and nearly suffocated. “In addition to constant threats, he used a knife to torture him, almost amputating one of his fingers,” Brazilian police said.
Despite his serious injuries, the Canadian managed to escape from the apartment and flee to the hospital. Even while he was being treated there, the perpetrator continued to threaten him via text messages.
Police investigations now show that the extortion started earlier. The Belgian is said to have threatened the victim’s family with death, as a result of which the Canadian had already transferred about 35,000 dollars (30,000 euros) to an accomplice in his home country.
Flight to Colombia
Brazilian police were able to track down the 25-year-old Belgian in the early hours of Friday. He was handcuffed at the airport in Rio de Janeiro when he wanted to board a flight to Colombia. At that moment he was wearing a jersey of football club CR Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro.
The man is suspected of extortion and torture. According to the investigation, he also has a criminal past in our country.
