Promise of French Visa Leads to Hostage-Taking in Tehran; Kidnappers Demand $50,000

A 27-year-old Afghan national named Ahmad Faisal has been kidnapped in Tehran, and his abductors have demanded $50,000 from his family in exchange for his release.

According to reports, the kidnappers posed as representatives of a visa service company and promised to secure a French visa for Faisal in exchange for a payment of $17,000. He disappeared after arriving at a meeting point in the Robat Karim district of Tehran.

Ahmad Faisal's family states they have received images showing signs of torture on his body. They have urged the kidnappers to allow the Afghan national to return home safely.

Further details regarding the identities of the kidnappers and Ahmad Faisal's fate remain unknown.