Turkish citizen kidnapped for ransom in Croatia recounts his nightmare

Arriving at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport from Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Çolak shared his experiences with members of the press.

Stating that he was kidnapped by a group he claimed to be Afghan while abroad for a vacation from Gaziantep, Çolak reported that there were other people held by the group and said:

"For the first 2 days, there was no mention of a ransom. We just walked and crossed mountains. At the Croatian border, they wanted us to call our families for ransom. After we called our families, we were subjected to severe violence. Once our families sent the ransom, we were no longer beaten."

Noting that he fell while trying to escape from the kidnappers while in a mountainous area and that 2 people from the group brought him back up, Çolak said, "Thanks to our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I was able to return to Turkey safe and sound."

Thanking those who contributed to his return to the country, Çolak noted that a ransom of 4,000 euros was paid by his family, and that after the ransom was received, more would have been demanded, but the group, fearing the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, left them on a mountain road.

Stating that he was held hostage for 5-6 days and could not remember the events very clearly, Çolak showed the bruises and scars on his body.

Explaining that he had an emotional phone call with his family after being rescued, Çolak said he would go to his family in Gaziantep on an evening flight.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had intervened for Muhammed Çolak, after reports emerged on social media that he had been kidnapped in Croatia.

Ministry officials had contacted the authorities in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and action was taken for the rescued Çolak to return to the country via Sarajevo.

News Source: AA

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