The Central Office for Combating Organized Crime has identified and dug up the body of a victim of a kidnapping that took place a year ago in the city of Maputo.

Since Munawar Ahmed Ali was kidnapped by strangers in broad daylight on October 3, 2022, on Avenida Albert Lithuli in the Mozambican capital, he has never been seen alive.

The investigations, launched by the Central Office for Combating Organized Crime (GCCCOT) at the time of the events, concluded that the Pakistani national was killed by the kidnappers and buried in the backyard of the house where he was being held captive, the statement said.

"After carrying out investigations, it was possible to identify a body that was buried, and preliminary examinations indicate characteristics similar to those of the victim," says the GCCCOT statement to which MZNews had access.

According to the same press release, a forensic anthropology investigation is underway to identify him and carry out DNA tests."

The institution guarantees that, in connection with the kidnapping and murder, criminal proceedings have been opened against four individuals, one of whom is in pre-trial detention.

Arrest warrants have already been issued for the other three, who are believed to be on the run.