French police arrested a 35-year-old Syrian man on Tuesday after he allegedly abducted his former partner and their two young children from Germany and transported them to northern France.
The man, who was reportedly involved in a dispute over custody of the children, is now facing charges of hostage-taking.
According to a statement from the police and public prosecutor in Kiel, the man forcibly dragged his ex-partner and their children, aged 2 and 3, into his car last Thursday.
The woman’s parents quickly alerted the authorities, reporting their daughter and grandchildren as missing, which prompted an immediate investigation.
The suspect and his alleged victims were found in a refugee shelter in Sangatte, near the French port city of Calais, on Monday afternoon.
French police successfully rescued the mother and children, while the man was arrested and placed in custody.
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The Kiel district court had previously issued an international arrest warrant for the suspect. Investigators believe the abduction was linked to a dispute over the man’s access to the children, with German media reporting that the man may have intended to flee with them to the United Kingdom.
Additionally, the man had allegedly demanded the return of another son he shared with the woman.
The man’s brother was also detained on Monday evening for his suspected involvement in the crime.
He is expected to appear in court soon, though further details on his role are not yet available.
The public prosecutor’s office in Kiel confirmed that they have applied for the extradition of the suspect.