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Top software developer’s son released, no ransom paid – police

MOSCOW, April 25 (ITAR-TASS) - The mastermind behind the abduction of Ivan Kaspersky, the son of well-known anti-virus software designer Eugene Kaspersky, was convicted for fraud back in the Soviet times, a well-informed police source told ITAR-TASS on Monday.

"It has been ascertained that the detainee is a Muscovite with a previous criminal conviction; he thought up the abduction plan, and enlisted the help of his wife, his unemployed son and, as well as two acquaintances - Moscow Region residents. They kidnapped Ivan Kaspersky in the Russian capital, thereupon they took him to the Roshcha gardening cooperative in the Sergiyev-Posad district. He was kept in a sauna near the house on one of the Roshcha land plots," the source said.

"The abductors did not maltreat their victim, they gave him meals, but were watching him round-the-clock. Therefore, the captive had no opportunity to escape. Furthermore, this gardening cooperative is located between several settlements which made the escape problematic," the source said.

The source confirmed that the criminals had demanded a 3-million-euro ransom for his release. However, no ransom has been paid

The operation to free the young man was conducted in top secrecy.

"Reporters were a major obstacle with their publications of unconfirmed information that might have provoked the criminals to inadequate actions and threatened the hostage's life. That is why the law-enforcement bodies were quite laconic in their comments," a police officer said.

Ivan Kaspersky was freed on Sunday, April 24, in the course of a special operation conducted by Moscow criminal police, jointly with their colleagues from the Federal Security Service and a special task force police unit.

The appearance of law-enforcement agents was a complete surprise for the criminals, so they were unable to offer resistance.

No weapons were used and nobody was injured.

Five suspects were detained.

The Investigation Committee (SK) opened criminal proceedings under Articles 126 and 163 ("abduction" and "extortion").

According to the SK, Ivan Kaspersky was not hurt during the police operation.

He was immediately handed over to his relatives after his release.

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