Mozambique Police Officer and Associates Convicted for Kidnapping Lottery Winner
A member of Mozambique’s riot police, Eurico Tembe, along with two accomplices, was sentenced to 30 years for kidnapping a lottery winner. Victim Alan Boene had won 4.58 million meticais ($72,000). The court ordered compensation for Boene and forfeiture of the abduction vehicle and Tembe’s property. Defence lawyers plan to appeal the decision.
In March 2023, a member of the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) in Mozambique was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in a kidnapping incident. This case notably differed from typical kidnappings usually involving businessmen, as it involved a lottery winner instead. Alan Boene, the victim, won 4.58 million meticais (approximately 72,000 US dollars) in November 2023, prompting the abduction by UIR agent Eurico Tembe and his accomplices, Gilberto Mandlate and Sergio Bambo.
The kidnappers demanded that Boene surrender his winnings for his release. However, their scheme ultimately failed when they fell into police custody, although details on their capture remain unspecified. The Maputo court not only sentenced the trio to 30 years each but also mandated compensation for Boene amounting to 1.7 million meticais. Furthermore, the court declared the vehicle utilized in the abduction, along with Tembe’s residence, to be forfeit to the state.
The defence counsel for the convicted individuals has announced their intention to appeal the ruling, seeking to contest the severe penalties imposed by the court. This case underlines the growing awareness and action against unlawful activities such as kidnapping in Mozambique.
The sentencing of the UIR member and his accomplices illustrates a strong legal stance against criminal activities, particularly kidnapping. This incident emphasizes the shift in motives behind kidnappings in Mozambique, moving beyond traditional targets to include individuals such as lottery winners. The court’s decision not only punishes the offenders but also aims to deter similar crimes in the future.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
