Colin Armstrong is rescued in Ecuador

At a press conference, the National Police gave more details about the case of the kidnapping of Colin Armstrong, former British ambassador to Ecuador.

National Police revealed the reason why Colin Armstrong was kidnapped.

The General Commander of the Police, César Zapata, indicated that the alert about the kidnapping came in the early hours of December 16, specifically at 2:30 AM.

During the afternoon of December 17, it was reported that a woman, who was with Armstrong at the time of the kidnapping, was released in an urbanization.

The woman, who would be Armstrong’s romantic partner, had explosive devices that were later confirmed to be fake.

Due to this fact, nine people who had participated in the incident were identified and arrested, eight Ecuadorians and one foreigner.

In addition, the discovery of five grenades, six firearms, detonating fuses, feeders, vehicles, and evidence that entered the chain of custody was reported.

For his part, Freddy Sarzosa, general director of investigations of the National Police, explained that the reason for the kidnapping would be an economic motivation.

“The type of punishment being investigated is extortionate kidnapping and the motivation responds to an economic issue,” said Sarzosa.

“The Police have a productivity of 94% in kidnappings and 64% in terms of extortion at the national level,” he added.

Finally, Armstrong’s rescue took place under the modality of release under pressure, that is, through the individualization of the actors in the incident, those who maintained custody of the victim were cornered into releasing him.