Arrested: SIU apprehends extortionist
A police official leads off an alleged extortionist in Karachi. PHOTO: PPI
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU), in collaboration with the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), on Friday claimed to have apprehended a suspect allegedly involved in extorting doctors in the city.
At least four doctors have been killed in Karachi since the start of the year, while 17 doctors lost their lives in targeted killings in 2014. The police suspect that most of the victims had been killed for refusing to pay the extortion money.
The SIU claimed to have arrested a suspect, identified as Enayat Abbas Kazmi, in a joint raid with the CPLC at his residence in Jamshed Quarters. He admitted to attempting to threaten and extort money from two doctors with clinics in the area. The police added that he had also been involved in robbing a doctor's residence.
"We are still questioning him about more incidents, including the murders of doctors," said SIU inspector Moin. He said that the police had traced the cell phone being used to threaten a female doctor.
The police are conducting raids to apprehend at least two of Kazmi's accomplices.
"One extortionist, who has been threatening doctors via email from South Africa, is still at large," said CPLC chief Ahmed Chinoy. "Many doctors have paid him money since he claimed to be behind each killing of a doctor in Karachi."
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2015.