Israel authorities have indicted a man, claiming that he kidnapped a gambler who owed him money. In an effort to secure the money owed, the man supposedly tortured his debtor with a hot poker and beat him repeatedly over a number of hours.
According to local news reports, the victim was eating at a pizzeria in Afula, Israel on December 12 last year. The offender, Muhammad Zoabi, 25, allegedly approached him with an accomplice and convinced him to enter his vehicle. The kidnappers took the gamblers phone and drove him to a cabin where he was held and tortured.
Start thinking how to settle this now.”
“I’m heating the rod,” the kidnappers supposedly told the victim, signaling towards an iron poker in the fireplace. “Start thinking how to settle this now.” After those menacing words, the kidnappers then burnt the victim with the hot poker repeatedly.
They threatened his life throughout, even pressing an object which resembled a gun to the head of the victim and asking him: “What would you prefer, bring the money or die now?” Zoabi ultimately allowed the victim his phone back and he sent a message to his wife who called police and reported him missing.
When police did find the victim, he had bruises and burns all over his body. The kidnappers fled at the time, but Zoabi was arrested on January 25 following a manhunt. His accomplice is still on the run.
