Global Kidnap Bulletin | November 2020

In this latest edition of the Global Kidnap Bulletin, we look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has created opportunities for security forces across Latin America to solicit bribes, carry out extortions and enact wrongful detentions. We also weigh up the threat of terrorist kidnapping in Turkey, look at the recent rise in maritime crime in Asia, explain how extortion rackets in Cape Town are impacting a broader range of targets, and look at the latest developments in militant kidnappings affecting travellers to Mali.

Covid corruption: Extortion among Latin America’s security forces during the pandemic

In some Latin American countries, the Covid-19 pandemic has bolstered the role of security forces and reduced oversight. As a result, there has been a clear uptick of extortive practices, wrongful detentions and other crimes in a number of jurisdictions. In this article, we look at how changes to the operating environment have prompted these developments, and provide an outlook for the likely trajectory of corrupt practices within security forces in the region. Read the article

Terrorist kidnapping in Turkey:Between fact and fiction

Recent arrests of Islamic State (IS) militants in Turkey have prompted questions about the threat of terrorist kidnapping in the country. In this article, we explain that while IS members in Turkey retain a high intent to target foreign nationals and other high-profile individuals, they remain hampered by their limited capabilities. Read the article

The rising threat of maritime crime and piracy in Asia

Recent reporting suggests a notable uptick in piracy and armed robbery incidents in Asian waters. In this article, we share some of the key details of these latest incidents, and offer our analysis of the key drivers of this trend. Looking ahead, we suggest that these incidents are likely to continue in the coming months, and shipping operators should adopt the necessary measures to limit their exposure to maritime crime events. Read the article

Extortion in Cape Town: A shift in target

Lockdown restrictions imposed by the South African government have prevented night clubs – traditional targets for extortion gangs’ protection rackets in Cape Town – from operating for several months. In response, extortionists have widened their target base, and are looking to cafes, restaurants and hotels as potential sources of income. In this article, we discuss how these extortion rackets operate, and explain why law enforcement officials’ limited resources may result in a continued threat of extortion for a wide range of businesses in Cape Town. Read the article

Snatched in the Sahel: Militant kidnappings in Mali

In August, the Malian government released more than 200 militants from its prisons in a deal to release hostages held by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) group. In this article, we look at the threat of militant kidnapping in the Sahel, and assess what this latest prisoner swap may mean for militant groups’ operations going forward. Read the article