Israeli businessman freed after being kidnapped for ransom in Brazil

Brazilian police manage to locate and rescue Moshe Bendek some 12 hours after he was nabbed

An Israeli businessman was kidnapped for a ransom in Brazil and held for 12 hours before he was freed by local police, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

The man, identified as Moshe Bendek from Yad Binyamin, was taken, apparently by criminals, early Friday in Sao Paulo.

“After a speedy operation by Brazilian police, the citizen was released from the kidnappers after his location was identified,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Hebrew media said Bendek was safely in a police station and had spoken briefly with his wife. He apparently ran a store in Sao Paulo selling fashion bags and diamonds.

The ministry said it had been in contact with local authorities and the local Jewish community throughout the ordeal.