9-member extortion gang face trial in UAE for kidnapping, social media blackmailing

Nine men will face legal action in the UAE for running a criminal network to extort money through kidnapping, filming indecent assaults and blackmailing via social media.

The men have been referred to the court by the Federal Public Prosecution on charges of threatening "state security, public peace and order" and could face charges punishable by death or life imprisonment, national news agency Wam reported.

The Public Prosecution said it was alerted about the gang's activities after a victim filed a report on the authority's digital platform after being "kidnapped, assaulted and filmed with his hands tied up".

Soon an investigation was initiated under the directives of the Attorney-General, to collect evidence.

Following investigation, the Federal Judicial Enforcement Office identified the suspects, detained them and seized the vehicles and phones used to commit the crime. They also recovered incriminating video footage of the assaults. 

The authority said the men lured the victim to their residence over a financial dispute and detained him for a week. They also forced him to sign debt recovery documents, filmed him naked and later blackmailed his family on social media for money.