NCJ Number
76668
Date Published
1980
Length
321 pages
Annotation
This book analyzes examples of financially and politically motivated kidnappings and reports the reactions of all those affected by the offense.
Abstract
The information is based on interviews with victims, victims' relatives, psychiatrists and doctors counseling former victims, police officers, lawyers, and bodyguards. The history of kidnapping for ransom is traced from Greek myth through medieval bandit activities to the end of the 19th century. A survey of U.S. kidnappings in the 1930's focuses on such spectacular cases as the Lindbergh kidnapping and the 'snatch racket activities' of organized crime. Numerous abductions of wealthy hostages took place in Sardinia and Italy throughout the 1970's. A history of political kidnappings focuses on the origins of the offenses in Brazil and Uruguay in the 1970's with the hostage taking of diplomats. Kidnapping activities in Argentina focused on wealthy businessmen who became the capitalist pawns of leftist groups. The kidnap-murder of Aldo Moro, leader of the Italian Christian Democratic Party, by the Red Brigades introduced the offense to Europe. The example was soon followed in the kidnapping of the leader of the West German Federation of Industries, Schleyer, by the Baader-Meinhof gang. Victim reactions are discussed in terms of the Stockholm Syndrome and other common psychological phenomena. World response to kidnapping and the thriving business of offering protection against abductions are also discussed. Future developments in kidnapping in the face of worldwide organized terrorism conclude the book. Photographs of kidnappings and a select bibliography are included.