41. Most of the kidnappers are believed to be members of criminal gangs simply seeking ransom. 42. Newspaper says Peruvian rebels seek ransom for Japanese hostages. 43. National Police Commissioner William Santillana said he did not know if the kidnappers had sought a ransom. 44. Rebels said to seek ransom for Japanese hostages. 45. Russians and foreigners have become prime targets for crime in Chechnya, especially from kidnappers seeking ransom. 46. Scores of people, including several journalists, have been kidnapped in Chechnya in recent years, mainly by armed gangs seeking ransoms. 47. The Chechens are now holding four ITAR-Tass and Radio Russia journalists and are believed to be seeking ransom. 48. The ELN may also be seeking a ransom, the prime motive for hundreds of kidnappings it carries out each year. 49. The guerrillas inside the diplomatic compound denied claims by Fujimori that they were seeking ransom for Japanese executives who are among the hostages. 50. The group is believed to be seeking ransom and to force peace concessions from the government. |