- The 26-year-old victim, identified as Peter Vuong.
- he was exposed to severe physical torture.
- Mr. Vuong is being treated at a hospital.
Six individuals have been charged by Australian police in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of a man in Sydney.
After being held captive for six days, the 26-year-old victim, identified as Peter Vuong in local media, was freed by police in an armed raid.
During his ordeal, he was exposed to severe physical torture, including having his teeth forcibly extracted, according to authorities.
Mr. Vuong is being treated at a hospital, and more arrests are likely.
According to New South Wales Police, the kidnapping began in the early hours of last Thursday when a group of males armed with a sledgehammer and a revolver burst into his residence in western Sydney around 05.20 local times.
Repeatedly assaulted and tortured
He was forced into a vehicle and driven away before being “repeatedly assaulted and tortured over a six-day period”, officers said.
The group was “part of a criminal enterprise to extort a large sum of money”, said Detective Supt Joe Doueihi.
Armed police entered a run-down residence in the Belmore area on Tuesday evening, acting on intelligence gleaned after intensive inquiries, and located Mr. Vuong alive but gravely injured.
“He’d been bound, tied up, had his face covered and sustained numerous injuries, and had his teeth forcibly removed”, Det Supt Doueihi said.
He was treated on the spot by paramedics before being brought to the hospital, where he is presently in stable condition, he added.
A 19-year-old guy was arrested on the property, while five others were detained elsewhere in the city, according to police.
Lolo Liavaa and Viliami Siasau, all 19, Valali Tonga, Sunia Siasau, and John Totau Fahamokioa, all 20, and Kiteau Tatafu, 21, have been named as suspects.
They have been charged with a number of “severe violent offenses,” according to police, including aggravated breaking and entering, grievous bodily harm, and possession of an unlicensed handgun.
Apart from John Totau Fahamokioa, all have been remanded in detention and are scheduled to appear in court in May.
According to authorities, investigations are ongoing, and further arrests are expected.
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