Two Russians, who allegedly kidnapped two persons at East Legon in Accra for several months, have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.
Musa Musaev, a businessman and Rizakhan Suntasov, a driver, have been accused of kidnapping Ramasui Kafarov and Anen Kafarov, Managing Director and employee respectively of Geo-Professionals Services Limited.
Musaev and Suntasov, who have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and kidnapping, have denied any wrongdoing.
The court, presided over by Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, admitted them to bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 with four sureties, each one to be justified.
The court further ordered them to deposit their passports with the court’s registry.
Masaev and Suntasov are to reappear on August 29.
Ralph Poku Edusei, who represented the accused persons, prayed the court to admit them to bail since the facts do not support the charges, adding that the story was inconsistent.
According to Mr Edusei, the case was bailable and the accused have people of substance who would stand as sureties for them.
He debunked assertions by the Police that his client Masaev, who left Ghana in 2010, returned in 2018 to kidnap the two victims.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mawunyo Nanegbe opposed to bail, saying the accused would interfere with police investigations.
According to DSP Nanegbe, the accused kidnapped the two with the help of some Russian nationals who are currently at large.
The prosecution stated that the accused allegedly kidnapped the two victims at East Legon on August 8, last year and kept them until April 2018.
Prosecutions said the accused and their accomplices kept the victims at different locations, subjected them to severe beatings which resulted in injuries.
The accused and their accomplices, however, demanded $18 million to release the victims.
On October 31, last year while the victims were in the custody of the alleged kidnappers, Ramasui, one of the victims, was compelled to execute a Power of Attorney to one Adam Edeibed to dispose of all his property comprising his business, six luxurious vehicles and a jewellery shop.
Prosecution said on April 20, this year the two victims managed to escape and sought refuge at the Russian Embassy. They later lodged complaint with the Police.
On July 17, this year, the police, through intelligence, lured the accused persons and arrested them.
GNA