Rich hand businessmen hire bodyguards to face kidnappings in Algeria

Many officials and rich in Boumerdes province (50km east of Algiers) have recently hired bodyguards to face Al-Qaeda’s threats which target their properties and families, Echorouk learnt from well-informed sourcesThey have already submitted demands to obtain personal arms for self-defense but their demands were not accepted for security reasons.In 2007, around six abductions and a kidnapping attempt were recorded. Most of them targeted the « prestigious class » in Boumerdes. 

Security experts believe that Al-Qaeda in Boumerdes has extended its targets to reach some categories among residents for ransom. These acts have been abandoned by the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) since the end of the 90’s. They have recently been claimed by the so-called Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Last week, there was a kidnap attempt on three people by a terrorist group in Boumerdes where the targeted man escaped and left his truck which was burnt by the terrorists.

 Another man was misled by terrorists who claimed to be policemen before he realized that. A third person escaped a kidnap attempt as well in the town on Beni Amrane, Boumerdes.Preliminary investigations showed that the kidnappers were seeking for ransom while many checkpoints have been set up in the area.Abduction plans which are often executed in isolated roads and places pose the biggest danger of Al-Qaeda to residents in Boumerdes.