By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
TWO men, a Syrian and an Egyptian, yesterday pleaded not guilty to abducting an Iraqi whom they allegedly coaxed into coming to Zambia on the pretext that they would facilitate for his travel to Europe.
Suliman Alhamadan from Syria and Mohamed Ibrahim Saad ?from Egypt also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Walid Mofakzekri, an Iraqi.
They appeared before Lusaka Principal Magistrate Kenneth Mulife and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mofakzeri allegedly wanted to travel to Europe in search of greener pastures but was informed by the two that it was easier to fly to Europe from Africa.
However, the story changed when he got to Zambia as he was allegedly subjected to confinement and beatings.
Alhamadan and Saad allegedly started beating Mofakzekri while speaking on the phone with his relative’s ?in Iraq threatening that they would kill him if they did not send the money they were demanding.
They are in the first count charged with abduction with intent to confine a person.
It is alleged that Alhamadan and Saad had, between August 30, 2015 and September 5 2015, jointly abducted Mofakzeri to be secretly and wrongfully confined.
The incident allegedly took place in Lusaka.
In the second count, the two are charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.
Alhamadan and Saad are alleged to have on September 6, 2015 ?assaulted Mr Mofakzeri.
Trial commences today.
