Trio locked up for Israeli record producer kidnap ambush

Trio locked up for Israeli record producer kidnap ambush

In a shocking turn of events, three men were discovered hiding in a field and subsequently arrested after attempting to kidnap a record producer with Israeli heritage. The kidnappers, who disguised themselves as representatives of Polydor Records, were driven by a combination of political, religious, and monetary motivations, as per the revelations made during the trial at Swansea Crown Court. The victim, Itay Kashti, likened the assault on him to a personal reference of the October 7th attack carried out by Hamas against Israel in 2023.

The trio, comprised of Mohammad Comrie, Faiz Shah, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, pleaded guilty to the charges of kidnapping and received individual sentences of eight years and one month. The kidnappers had meticulously planned the abduction, generating what was described as a “shopping list” outlining the necessary items, such as face masks, gloves, and a location suitable for the crime to take place. Judge Catherine Richards condemned this list, highlighting its clear intent to instill fear and perpetrate violence.

The planned kidnapping involved an elaborate scheme that unfolded when Mr. Kashti received an email from someone claiming to be Lucas Winslow of Polydor Records, inviting him to a fictitious music recording camp in rural Wales. Discussions surrounding the scheme were meticulously outlined over the Telegram messaging app by the perpetrators, ultimately aiming for the kidnapping of the victim. The assailants arrived at the cottage armed with handcuffs, cable ties, and a plan to drug Mr. Kashti with ketamine.

Despite their planning, the kidnapping was thwarted, as Mr. Kashti managed to break free from the restraints and escape to safety. Following the ordeal, he recounted feelings of shock and fear, reflecting on his Jewish heritage and the historic traumas experienced by his ancestors. The prosecution acknowledged the terrifying nature of the incident and commended the vic

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