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Police operation (symbolic image)
Photo: Monika Skolimowska / picture alliance / dpa
The police in Berlin freed a kidnapped person and arrested four suspects. The kidnapping victim was taken to the capital by force and was apparently mistreated, as the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Saturday. The person has now returned to their home country. The “Bild” newspaper first reported.
A 17-year-old is among the suspects
According to the public prosecutor's office, there are four suspects between the ages of 17 and 35. But more people were involved in the kidnapping, the authorities said. There was initially no further information about the locations where the victim was being held and the kidnappers' possible demands.
According to information, Interpol had alerted the Berlin police to a possible kidnapping. The Berlin law enforcement authorities are now working closely with Swedish authorities, it is said. They also investigate whether there are connections to organized crime networks.
According to information from the “Bild” newspaper, the kidnapping victim is said to be a former Swedish ice hockey player. The Berlin public prosecutor's office did not provide any information about this on Saturday.
mas/dpa