Mozambique Police Officer Sentenced for Kidnapping Lottery Winner

A member of Mozambique’s riot police was sentenced to 30 years for kidnapping a lottery winner. Along with two accomplices, he sought ransom after abducting Alan Boene, a recent lottery winner. The trio is also required to pay compensation and forfeited certain assets to the state. Appeals are expected from their legal representatives.

In March 2023, a member of Mozambique’s Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) was sentenced alongside two accomplices to 30 years in prison for kidnapping. The case, highlighted by independent television station STV, uniquely involved a lottery winner rather than the usual targets of abduction, typically businessmen.

The victim, Alan Boene, along with his cousin, won approximately 72,000 US dollars in November 2023. Following this substantial win, UIR officer Eurico Tembe and his associates, Gilberto Mandlate and Sergio Bambo, kidnapped Boene and demanded his winnings for his release.

Ultimately, the kidnappers were apprehended by the police; however, the report does not detail their capture. The Maputo court not only sentenced the trio to 30 years each but also mandated that they pay 1.7 million meticais in compensation to Boene. Furthermore, the vehicle used in the crime and Tembe’s house were confiscated by the state. The defense team intends to appeal against this decision.

The case of Alan Boene underscores a rare instance of kidnapping related to lottery winnings in Mozambique. The swift response from law enforcement illustrates the state’s commitment to addressing such crimes. The appeal promised by the defense may alter the outcome, but the court’s ruling highlights the severe penalties associated with criminal activity in the region.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com