ISIS-linked Indian-origin woman, partner held in British couple abduction case
A 27-year-old Indian-origin woman and her partner, both allegedly linked to the ISIS terror group, have been arrested on charges of abducting a British couple, said South African special police unit Hawks. Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couple's credit cards.
Cape Town couple kidnapped while holidaying in SA
The missing Cape Town couple had been reportedly kidnapped while holidaying in Bivane Dam near Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on February 12. The Hawks declined to provide any further information due to the sensitive nature of the case. The incident had prompted the British government to issue a travel advisory about possible terrorist attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
Patel and Vecchio have ISIS links
Reportedly, Patel and Vecchio stand accused of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act by hoisting an ISIS flag in a rural area. Del Vecchio also faces another terrorism-related charge for allegedly participating in extremist web forums that support ISIS. Patel and her brother Ebrahim Patel were previously arrested for planning terrorist attacks at the behest of the IS.
