Three men have been sentenced in Astana for kidnapping and extortion. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the investigation, residents of the capital created fake accounts on the Telegram messenger under the names of girls and lured men into meetings under false pretences. They then forcibly took them outside the city and beat them.
They also threatened to distribute video recordings disgracing the victims. Through extortion they took a total of 2.2 million tenge from three victims.
One of the victims was forced to take out a loan from a microfinance organisation, while another had his car seized, the prosecutor's office reported.
At trial, the state prosecutor fully proved the guilt of the defendants. By the court's verdict, the three men were deprived of liberty for terms ranging from 7 to 8 years for kidnapping and extortion.
The victims' civil claims for compensation of the damage caused were also satisfied. The court verdict has entered into legal force.