KUALA LUMPUR: A Myanmar woman was kidnapped by a gardener and his accomplices before being released upon receiving the RM28,000 ransom.

However the woman, in her 20’s, who holds a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card, is believed to have been raped by her captor before her release.

City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah said the woman, who works as a waitress, was abducted near Kepong on her way to work on June 8.

The kidnappers had initially demanded RM100,000 from the victim’s friend for her release, but agreed to RM28,000 after negotiations.

“After the ransom was paid on June 9, we rounded up five suspects aged between 20 and 30 years, including four Myanmar UNHCR card holders - three men and a woman,” said SAC Ku.

Police recovered the cash, and following investigations decided to charge the mastermind after the others agreed to testify against him.

At the magistrates court here yesterday, Myanmar national Aye Min Win, 30, who works as a gardener, was charged with receiving the ransom money from the victim’s friend at the Mandalay Restaurant at about 9.30pm on June 9.

Aye claimed trial to the offence under Section 5 of the Kidnapping Act 1961, which carries a sentence of not more than 10 years jail and/or whipping.

Magistrate Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin granted him bail of RM10,000 with two Malaysian sureties, and ordered him to surrender his passport and report to the Pudu police station every month until the case is disposed of.

His employers paid the bail and the judge fixed July 23 for the next mention.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/1/nation/6582468&sec=nation