Two Bahrainis have been arrested in Malaysia in connection with the abduction of a university student.

They were allegedly part of a group of six men, who held Bahraini Ali Ahmed Al Nashaba hostage for 18 days and beat him with a wooden plank, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Ali told the GDN yesterday he was blindfolded, held in a dark room and fed once a day, while his kidnappers tried to extort ransom money from his family in Bahrain.

The 20-year-old was snatched by three men on January 28 from Linton University in Kuala Lumpur, where he studies electrical engineering.

He was found by Royal Malaysian Police on Friday following a city-wide search in co-operation with Bahrain's Foreign Affairs and Interior ministries.

His parents handed over a BD3,000 ($7,856) ransom last week, but it is understood the kidnappers did not take the money.

Ali said he never saw his abductors as he was blindfolded all the time.

"I was kept in a dark house, blindfolded and the kidnappers gave me food one time a day," he was speaking from a police station in Kuala Lumpur.

"They whacked me several times a day on my arms and legs with a wooden plank, and threatened saying they would chop my body parts if I didn't ask my family to pay the ransom amount.

"They also forced me to speak to my cousin, who is also my roommate and ask him not to call police.

"I don't know who these people were and why they kidnapped me.

"I didn't even see their faces, but I could hear them talking about me and money.

"The first thing I did when I was freed was to speak to my father and brother.

"I also met my university mates, who welcomed me back with smiles and hugged me.

"I am now waiting for police to finish investigation and allow me to go back home."

A policewoman, who was involved in the investigation, said Ali was taken to hospital to receive treatment for multiple injuries.

She also confirmed six people were arrested in connection with the kidnapping.

"We have arrested six people in connection with the kidnap - two Bahrainis, three Malaysians and a Sri Lankan," she told the GDN.

"The case is still under investigation and Ali will be allowed to go back home once we finish our investigation.

"The kidnappers detained Ali in a house, which is just 30 minutes' drive from the university.

Probe

"The abductors beat him with a small wooden plank on his arms, hands and legs. They also kicked him and punched him.

"We saw marks on his body and took him for medical check-up to confirm he didn't suffer internal bleeding or wasn't drugged in these 18 days.

"But he is perfectly okay and we are still investigating the case."

She said Ali's passport, which has been with university officials, will be handed over to authorities today to arrange his safe return home along with the Bahraini investigation team.

Ali's father Ahmed Al Nashaba yesterday said he will not allow his son to continue his studies in Malaysia.

"Ali called me after he was freed and we couldn't speak much, as he was with police," he told the GDN.

"We just greeted each other and I asked if he is okay.

"I also sent BD500 to his account, so he can buy clothes and other things if he wants.

"He finished two years in university and has two more years to finish his studies. But I don't think we will send him back to that place again.

"We are happy that he is alive and police have arrested his kidnappers."

Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa personally called Al Nashaba to inform him of his son's release.

The GDN earlier reported that Ali's parents were initially given 24 hours to pay 20,000 Malaysian ringgit (around BD2,260) to his abductors or they threatened to chop his fingers off, but the ransom demand was later increased to BD3,000. - TradeArabia News Service