ALBAWABA - The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs acted quickly to ensure the safe return of Muhammed Çolak, a Turkish national who was kidnapped in Croatia and held hostage for ransom.
Çolak described his terrifying ordeal, saying that no talk of a ransom was spoken during the first two days of their detention. Rather, the abductors made him go across a rugged area. They eventually insisted that he get in touch with his family and make arrangements to pay the ransom. He endured severe physical torture following this. But the kidnappers fled in fright as soon as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs became involved.
The Mishap
After being abducted in Croatia while on vacation, Turkish national Muhammad Çolak returns back home safely in Istanbul thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey's concerted efforts. Çolak spoke with the media about his experience after landing at Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"NO RANSOM DEMANDS FOR THE FIRST TWO DAYS"
Çolak, who was on vacation overseas and originally from Gaziantep, revealed that he had been kidnapped by a group posing as Afghans. He mentioned that additional prisoners were being held by the organization and gave an account of his first two days in captivity: "There was no talk of a ransom during the first two days." We simply continued to walk across the mountains. They insisted that we get in touch with our relatives for ransom as we crossed the Croatian border. They started severely assaulting us after we made the calls. The violence halted as soon as the ransom was paid.
"MINISTRY'S INTERVENTION CAUSED THE KIDNAPPERS TO FLEE"
Additionally, Çolak reported that he had fallen when attempting to escape from his captors in the hilly area, and that two of the kidnappers had assisted him in getting back up. "The kidnappers fled via a mountain trail, scared off by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' intervention. They made it possible for me to securely return to Turkey." He thanked everyone who assisted in his rescue and disclosed that his family had paid a 4,000 euro ransom. Çolak went on to say that the kidnappers had originally intended to demand more money, but that they had to change their minds and leave because of the Ministry's participation.
Çolak was injured several times throughout his five or six days in captivity, and he was unable to properly recollect every incident. He spoke with his family over the phone after his rescue, and later that night, he was going to take a plane to Gaziantep to be with them again.
HISTORY
Following the social media dissemination of information about Muhammad Çolak's kidnapping in Croatia, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs took action. After engaging with Bosnian and Croatian authorities, ministry representatives were able to successfully rescue Çolak and bring him back to Turkey via Sarajevo.
