Word: ransoming
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...before, the letter failed to make any specific demands on behalf of Moro's kidnapers. But there was some hope that a ransom deal that did not involve the Christian Democratic Party or the government might be worked out privately. Such a move would have a precedent. When the son of former Socialist Party Leader Francesco de Martino was kidnaped in Naples last year, his release was secured with a reported ransom of $880,000, raised by wealthy party backers and a subscription among the membership. The main difference is that the De Martino kidnaping turned...
Both luck and stubbornness had a part in Empain's release. Alarmed by the epidemic of kidnapings in Western Europe, the French government had established a firm policy of refusing to lay low during negotiations with kidnapers. Once it became apparent-from the sole ransom demand of $8.6 million-that they were dealing with professional criminals rather than political radicals, police grew bolder than ever. Though the Empain family was willing to pay off, police set up a phony ransom drop on a highway near Paris and ambushed a team of kidnapers who tried to retrieve the funds. Three...
When the baron refused to sign a ransom note, the kidnapers lopped off a piece of the little finger of his left hand-using an ordinary kitchen knife without benefit of anesthetic-and sent it to his family as grisly proof of identity. Gang members provided some antiseptic and a bandage to stop the bleeding. They also warned Empain that unless he cooperated with them they would cut off another finger for each day the ransom went unpaid...
About all the grave robbers could be charged with, unless they demanded ransom, was "interfering with the peace of the deceased" (maximum penalty: three years...
...week's end no ransom demands had come...