TWO Blackburn men have appeared before magistrates in Birmingham charged with kidnap.
Tariq Ellahi, 29, of Trevor Close, and Irfan Mahmood, 21, of Whalley New Road, are charged with kidnapping Akhtar Mahmood from an address in Bradford, although he lives in Birmingham.
A third man, Nawaz Khan, 21, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, has also been charged with kidnap and is due to appear before Birmingham Magistrates today.
Mr Akhtar was allegedly held at an address in Little Harwood, Blackburn, for four days early in January, during which time he suffered numerous injuries.
He was released after a sum of money was allegedly handed over.
Police officers from Lancashire, Yorkshire and the Midlands were involved in efforts to find Mr Mahmood and the subsequent investigation into his disappearance.
Ellahi and Mahmood were sent in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on February 7.
Blackburn-based solicitor Basharat Ditta, who represented both men in court and also represents Khan, refused to comment other than to say that all three of his clients strenuously deny the charge.
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