GEORGE TOWN, Oct 12 — Five of the nine men arrested in a daring kidnapping case early this month were charged with abduction and wrongful confinement at the magistrate's court here.

The five were jointly charged with abducting and wrongfully confining a 60-year-old money changer for a RM3 million ransom.

The five are T.Shasitaran, 32, M. Ashogan, 33, Mohamad Sultan Ahmad Kabil, 37, Ong San Chia, 31, and Yeoh Shyh Ming, 27.

They allegedly committed the offence sometime between 10.30am and 10.45am on September 28 at the roadside of Jalan Rumbia near the Crystal Gardens apartment.

All five were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 for abduction and wrongful confinement for ransom which carries the death penalty upon conviction.

No plea was recorded from all five, three of whom were represented by Mathan Anandaram, while Ong and Yeoh were represented by Jason Khor.The prosecution was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Fatin Hussin.

Magistrate Mohamad Amin Shahul Hamid fixed December 14 for mention of the case.

The five were alleged to have kidnapped the money changer by dragging him into a van as he was walking out from his house.

The 60-year-old businessman was held in an apartment while his abductors demanded for RM3 million in ransom from his family.

The businessman was rescued on October 3 when police arrested one of those involved who led the police to where the victim was held.

Police had remanded nine suspects in connection with the case. It is believed the other four other suspects are still under investigations.