Russian authorities have arrested five individuals following a series of kidnapping attempts, including one foiled by a top football player and another that successfully targeted a local politician’s relative.
Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Andrei Mostovoy and ice hockey player Alexander Grakun were the targets of an abduction attempt last week near a luxury shop on Krestovsky Island. They successfully fought off three hooded assailants.
Natalya, Mostovoy’s mother, told ‘KP-Petersburg’ that her son’s quick thinking and physical prowess allowed him to overpower the kidnappers, leaving them unconscious. The attackers then fled the scene in shock.
According to Russian press reports, the three hooded men had jumped from a van, intending to force the athletes into the vehicle. Their swift response prevented the abduction.
After failing to kidnap Mostovoy, the same criminal group later abducted Sergei Selegen, the son-in-law of a local politician.
The kidnappers demanded 10 million Russian rubles, approximately $107,000 USD. Selegen initially paid them about $2,140 USD.
The kidnapping continued until police intervened during a planned money exchange, arresting four suspects. A fifth individual was apprehended shortly thereafter.
Mostovoy is a regular starter for Zenit St. Petersburg, a club that currently competes only in domestic competitions.