Indian-origin diamond trader freed in Mali after family pays 4 million euros ransom
Ramani's kidnappers initially demanded nearly Rs 100 crore for his release. The source claimed that Ramani's family, which is based in the United States, negotiated directly with the abductors and eventually secured his freedom after agreeing to pay 4 million euros.
An Indian-origin diamond businessman who was allegedly kidnapped in Mali nearly three months ago has been released after his family reportedly paid a ransom of 4 million euros (around Rs 44 crore), according to news agency PTI.
Dhiru Ramani, 75, was freed earlier this week and remains in the West African nation, where local authorities are questioning him about the circumstances surrounding his release, Reuters reported, citing a source. The family has not commented on the alleged ransom payment, and authorities have not officially confirmed the details.
Ramani, who traces his roots to Gujarat's Amreli district and has longstanding links with Surat's diamond industry, was abducted in April while living in Mali after investing in a gold mining business.
FAMILY REPORTEDLY NEGOTIATED RANSOM
According to a Surat-based industry source, cited by PTI, Ramani's kidnappers initially demanded nearly Rs 100 crore for his release. The source claimed that Ramani's family, which is based in the United States, negotiated directly with the abductors and eventually secured his freedom after agreeing to pay 4 million euros.
The negotiations were reportedly handled privately without the involvement of any Indian government agency.
"He has been released, but he is still in Mali. The local police are questioning him about his release and the circumstances surrounding it," the source said.
The source added that Ramani remains in Mali while investigators seek information about the kidnapping and the events leading to his release.
Ramani is originally from Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district. He entered the diamond business around 1980 and built strong ties with Surat, India's diamond polishing hub.
He later moved to the United States, where his family became involved in the international diamond trade. In recent years, he had reportedly expanded his business interests into the mining sector and had acquired a gold mine in Mali, where he had been living for some time before the alleged abduction. Industry sources say his presence in Mali was linked to these mining investments.
SECURITY CONCERNS IN MALI
Ramani's alleged kidnapping took place against the backdrop of growing security concerns in Mali, where armed groups continue to operate across several parts of the country.
Around the time he was reportedly abducted in April, the Indian Embassy in Bamako issued a security advisory urging Indian nationals in Mali to remain alert following a series of security incidents.
"Due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other parts of Mali, the Embassy of India in Bamako urges all Indian nationals residing in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and strictly follow the instructions issued by the Malian authorities from time to time," the advisory dated April 25 said.
The advisory did not mention Ramani or refer to any specific kidnapping. However, it underscored the deteriorating security situation in the country, where attacks by extremist groups and criminal networks have become increasingly frequent.
Many aspects of Ramani's alleged kidnapping remain unclear, including the identity of the abductors and whether any criminal or militant group was behind the incident. Neither Malian authorities nor the Indian government have publicly commented on the reported ransom payment. It also remains unclear when Ramani is expected to return home.
An Indian-origin diamond businessman who was allegedly kidnapped in Mali nearly three months ago has been released after his family reportedly paid a ransom of 4 million euros (around Rs 44 crore), according to news agency PTI.
Dhiru Ramani, 75, was freed earlier this week and remains in the West African nation, where local authorities are questioning him about the circumstances surrounding his release, Reuters reported, citing a source. The family has not commented on the alleged ransom payment, and authorities have not officially confirmed the details.
Ramani, who traces his roots to Gujarat's Amreli district and has longstanding links with Surat's diamond industry, was abducted in April while living in Mali after investing in a gold mining business.
FAMILY REPORTEDLY NEGOTIATED RANSOM
According to a Surat-based industry source, cited by PTI, Ramani's kidnappers initially demanded nearly Rs 100 crore for his release. The source claimed that Ramani's family, which is based in the United States, negotiated directly with the abductors and eventually secured his freedom after agreeing to pay 4 million euros.
The negotiations were reportedly handled privately without the involvement of any Indian government agency.
"He has been released, but he is still in Mali. The local police are questioning him about his release and the circumstances surrounding it," the source said.
The source added that Ramani remains in Mali while investigators seek information about the kidnapping and the events leading to his release.
Ramani is originally from Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district. He entered the diamond business around 1980 and built strong ties with Surat, India's diamond polishing hub.
He later moved to the United States, where his family became involved in the international diamond trade. In recent years, he had reportedly expanded his business interests into the mining sector and had acquired a gold mine in Mali, where he had been living for some time before the alleged abduction. Industry sources say his presence in Mali was linked to these mining investments.
SECURITY CONCERNS IN MALI
Ramani's alleged kidnapping took place against the backdrop of growing security concerns in Mali, where armed groups continue to operate across several parts of the country.
Around the time he was reportedly abducted in April, the Indian Embassy in Bamako issued a security advisory urging Indian nationals in Mali to remain alert following a series of security incidents.
"Due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other parts of Mali, the Embassy of India in Bamako urges all Indian nationals residing in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and strictly follow the instructions issued by the Malian authorities from time to time," the advisory dated April 25 said.
The advisory did not mention Ramani or refer to any specific kidnapping. However, it underscored the deteriorating security situation in the country, where attacks by extremist groups and criminal networks have become increasingly frequent.
Many aspects of Ramani's alleged kidnapping remain unclear, including the identity of the abductors and whether any criminal or militant group was behind the incident. Neither Malian authorities nor the Indian government have publicly commented on the reported ransom payment. It also remains unclear when Ramani is expected to return home.
An Indian-origin diamond businessman who was allegedly kidnapped in Mali nearly three months ago has been released after his family reportedly paid a ransom of 4 million euros (around Rs 44 crore), according to news agency PTI.
Dhiru Ramani, 75, was freed earlier this week and remains in the West African nation, where local authorities are questioning him about the circumstances surrounding his release, Reuters reported, citing a source. The family has not commented on the alleged ransom payment, and authorities have not officially confirmed the details.
Ramani, who traces his roots to Gujarat's Amreli district and has longstanding links with Surat's diamond industry, was abducted in April while living in Mali after investing in a gold mining business.
FAMILY REPORTEDLY NEGOTIATED RANSOM
According to a Surat-based industry source, cited by PTI, Ramani's kidnappers initially demanded nearly Rs 100 crore for his release. The source claimed that Ramani's family, which is based in the United States, negotiated directly with the abductors and eventually secured his freedom after agreeing to pay 4 million euros.
The negotiations were reportedly handled privately without the involvement of any Indian government agency.
"He has been released, but he is still in Mali. The local police are questioning him about his release and the circumstances surrounding it," the source said.
The source added that Ramani remains in Mali while investigators seek information about the kidnapping and the events leading to his release.
Ramani is originally from Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district. He entered the diamond business around 1980 and built strong ties with Surat, India's diamond polishing hub.
He later moved to the United States, where his family became involved in the international diamond trade. In recent years, he had reportedly expanded his business interests into the mining sector and had acquired a gold mine in Mali, where he had been living for some time before the alleged abduction. Industry sources say his presence in Mali was linked to these mining investments.
SECURITY CONCERNS IN MALI
Ramani's alleged kidnapping took place against the backdrop of growing security concerns in Mali, where armed groups continue to operate across several parts of the country.
Around the time he was reportedly abducted in April, the Indian Embassy in Bamako issued a security advisory urging Indian nationals in Mali to remain alert following a series of security incidents.
"Due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other parts of Mali, the Embassy of India in Bamako urges all Indian nationals residing in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and strictly follow the instructions issued by the Malian authorities from time to time," the advisory dated April 25 said.
The advisory did not mention Ramani or refer to any specific kidnapping. However, it underscored the deteriorating security situation in the country, where attacks by extremist groups and criminal networks have become increasingly frequent.
Many aspects of Ramani's alleged kidnapping remain unclear, including the identity of the abductors and whether any criminal or militant group was behind the incident. Neither Malian authorities nor the Indian government have publicly commented on the reported ransom payment. It also remains unclear when Ramani is expected to return home.
