Greek police arrest Pakistani gang that allegedly kidnapped Syrian migrants

ATHENS, Greece – Greek police have arrested four Pakistani citizens and are searching for three more for allegedly kidnapping 10 Syrian migrants and keeping them chained in a house for several days after enticing them with promises of help to get to Italy.

Police said Sunday the Pakistanis lured the Syrian migrants from various places in Athens and led them to a house in the suburb of Koropi, near the Athens airport east of the Greek capital. They had agreed that each Syrian would pay 2,000-3,000 euros ($2,700-$4,000) for help in getting to Italy. But when the Syrians were led to the house, they were stripped of their money and phones, chained and beaten, police say.

Two Syrians managed to escape Saturday and alerted the police who arrested four of their captors.