Kidnappers who have abducted Jibran Ali Al-Malki, a Saudi national from the Anti-Narcotics Department, have raised the ransom demand to SR2 million. This was disclosed here by Hasan Ali Al-Malki, elder brother of the kidnapped Saudi. The brother said the kidnappers had earlier demanded half a million riyals soon after the kidnapping. “We heard about a man having been kidnapped by a Yemeni group. I was surprised to learn the man was my brother,” Hasan said. He notified the elders of his tribe who went to Bani Kholi Village, the kidnapping tribe's home in Yemen, to discuss the reasons for the kidnapping and their demands. Hasan said he was told about the increased ransom by tribal elders in Bani Kholi. “In case negotiations were not a success, another delegation will go there.” Hasan said his brother called his family – aged parents, wife and five kids – and assured them that he was well. Jibran, the hostage, is the father of Muhammad, 5, Hasan, 3, and three girls the eldest of whom is 18. The director of the Anti-Narcotic Department in Jizan, Colonel Saeed Al-Shomrani, said the kidnapping has nothing to do with the victim's job at the department. He said the case is related to disputes among members of Saudi and Yemeni tribes.
