The Charleroi criminal court on Monday sentenced three men to jail terms ranging from 9 to 14 years for kidnapping a young woman and holding her hostage for almost 24 hours. The victim was released after a €24,000 ransom was paid.
Faudel D. was sentenced to 9 years in prison, Darwin C. to 11 years in prison and Miguel P. C. to 14 years. Faudel D. and Darwin C. were also convicted for subjecting a police officer to assault and battery.
The prosecution had requested sentences ranging from 12 to 15 years in prison against the trio.
Kidnappers demanded a €24,000 ransom and a Rolex
On 14 December 2021, the judicial authorities were notified of the kidnapping of a young woman born in 1994 in front of her companion’s home in Carnières (Morlanwelz, Hainaut province).
“Very quickly, the kidnappers contacted the victim’s partner to obtain a ransom of €24,000, along with a Rolex watch. The exchange took place over a bridge, on the next day,” the prosecution explained.
When the ransom was paid, a BMW car stolen the day before in La Louvière was identified. The kidnapped young woman was seen inside the vehicle before being released.
Darwin C. and Faudel D., who were present in the BMW, were subsequently pursued by motorcyclists from the special units.
“The vehicle ended up in a one-way street, but Darwin C., the driver, then reversed and hit a policeman, whose right leg was trapped between the car and a wall,” the prosecution said.
Defendant says he was motivated by financial woes
Faudel D. admitted to conducting observations at the targeted home a few days before the kidnapping.
Darwin C. did not contest the facts but claimed that the objective was to attack the companion, who was presented as “a major arms and drugs dealer.”
On 15 January 2022, Miguel P. C. was finally arrested at the wheel of a vehicle.
“Police information suggested that he was the third perpetrator. He was bugged and arrested," the prosecutor’s office said.
"During a search of his drop-off point, police clothing used during the events was discovered, as well as armbands and handcuffs,” added the prosecutor’s office, which considered him to be the ringleader of the trio.
Miguel P. C., too, did not contest the facts. He claimed he had taken part in the crime because of financial woes.
The defence lawyers had pleaded for a suspended sentence for the trio.
