6 year old Fawaz al-Qatifan who was kidnapped in Daraa, Syria, was released yesterday, after his family paid the required ransom money and was reported to be in good health.
Fawaz’s father, Mohammad al-Qatifan, said the kidnappers left Fawaz outside a pharmacy in Nawa, west of Daraa, where he waited till he was reunited with his family.
Fawaz was abducted three months ago by masked men on two motorcycles while he was on his way to school in the village of Ibtaa, rural Daraa, southern Syria.
The young boy’s plight captured the world’s attention after video footage went viral of him laying on the ground stripped to his underpants whilst being savagely tortured by his kidnappers.
In the video, Fawaz can be heard begging “For Allah’s sake, don’t hit me”.
Although there has been much joy following the safe return of Fawaz to his family, it is feared that the payment of ransom for Fawaz may give rise to criminal gangs to continue their kidnapping enterprise.
