29.01.09 - 10:12 -
Thousands of people followed Fernando's funeral car through the streets of San Pedro de Alcántara. / EFE / AL
Letter
It has taken the National Police six days to clarify the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and violent death of Marbella businessman Fernando Moreno Espada and the alleged authors of the crime are all now in custody.
On Monday night following several searches and taking of statements police officers arrested the first suspect, the second was taken in on Tuesday and yesterday two more were caught.
On Monday night following several searches and taking of statements police officers arrested the first suspect, the second was taken in on Tuesday and yesterday two more were caught.
The Spanish suspect was an employee of the businessman's firm, which indicates that he knew about the victims daily routine and his economic situation. The theory of the police is that Fernando Moreno's ex-employee had an arrangement with a Colombian friend to kidnap the businessman with the objective of gaining a large sum of money. Along with another two Colombians they started the process of the kidnapping. However their plans were dashed down to lack of experience and resources.
What is yet to be cleared up by the police, who have been congratulated on their work on the case by the Interior Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, are the exact circumstances surrounding the victim's death.
Last Wednesday Fernando's family reported his disappearance to the police and then received calls from kidnappers demanding 1,000,000 euros for his release. The last call they received was to tell them that Fernando was dead and was in the reservoir hut on the Istán road. Fernando was found the next day gagged and with his hands tied. The autopsy revealed that he had died as a result of suffocation and injuries to his body which rules out the previous suspicion that his death was down to natural causes.
