02.07.2025 17:58
It has been reported that Salim Özbek, a tailor in Erzincan, was kidnapped in Iran while trying to bring back the woman he had a religious marriage with. Individuals who sent torture videos and demanded a ransom threatened the family by saying, "We will cut off his ear and send it." The family has requested help from the authorities. Özbek's brother, Ali Özbek, stated, "We are at a loss about what to do; we are worried for my brother's life. Please make our voice heard."
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Salim Özbek, who lives in Erzincan, went to Iran about a month ago to bring his religiously married Afghan wife who lives in Iran. Özbek had to return shortly after due to the Iran-Israel war and security problems. Last week, Salim Özbek went to Iran again and was allegedly kidnapped.
THEY DEMANDED RANSOM
Özbek's brother, Ali Özbek, stated that his brother was kidnapped and that the kidnappers called them demanding a ransom of 30 thousand dollars. After the ransom demand, videos of Salim Özbek were also sent to the family. Ali Özbek said, "They called us on WhatsApp from their own numbers. At first, we didn't believe it, but then they sent us photos of my brother with his hands tied, being tortured. They told us, 'Give us 30 thousand dollars, or we will cut off his ear and send it to you in a few days.' We don't have that much money. We are at a loss for what to do. Please, authorities, hear our voice. My brother's life is in danger. We are Uzbeks, but we have been living in Turkey for 30 years. This is our home now. Save my brother," he said.
"PLEASE SAVE MY UNCLE"
Salim Özbek's nephew, Muhammet Özbek (28), who works as a body repairman in an industrial site and is married with one child, described the ongoing situation as follows:
"My uncle's wife ran away with their 3 children years ago. We don't know where she is. My uncle was alone for years. Then he married an Afghan woman living in Iran with a religious marriage. About a month ago, he went to visit his wife in Iran but had to return due to the turmoil and war in the region. He went again last week, and he was kidnapped on Sunday. We haven't heard from him since Monday. The kidnappers are threatening us on WhatsApp and sending torture photos. We are very worried for his life. We have also informed the Iranian Consulate. Please save my uncle. My uncle Salim Özbek is a tailor in Erzincan; he was a humble person. He had no enmity with anyone. He only went to Iran to bring his religiously married wife. His kidnapping and the ransom demand have deeply shaken us. We don't have the financial means, and we don't know what to do."
"EVERY SECOND IS IMPORTANT"
The family stated that they have informed the Turkish Consulate in Iran, saying, "Our brother may have been tortured for days. Every second is important. Please hear our voice, save our brother," they said.
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