Four additional men have been charged in connection with the alleged mistaken identity kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian, bringing the total number of individuals charged in the case to 11. Police are investigating the incident as a botched extortion attempt.
A 32-year-old man, identified as the alleged ringleader of the plot, was among the latest to be charged. He was initially arrested on February 23 on unrelated firearm and drug offenses after police seized methylamphetamine and a pistol from his vehicle during a stop in Blacktown, western Sydney. A subsequent search of a property in Penrith uncovered cannabis and another vehicle.
Detectives uncovered evidence suggesting the 32-year-old coordinated and participated in Mr. Baghsarian's kidnapping and murder. He was formally arrested on these charges on July 8 and faces counts of murder and kidnapping offenses. He is scheduled to appear at Penrith Local Court on Friday.
Further Arrests and Charges
On July 9, a 22-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping offenses. He is also due to appear at Penrith Local Court on Friday.
More recently, on Monday, a 21-year-old man from Lethbridge Park and a 19-year-old man from Mt Druitt were arrested. The 21-year-old has already appeared in court, having been charged as an accessory to the crimes. The 19-year-old faces the same accessory charges and is scheduled to appear at Mount Druitt Local Court on Tuesday.
Chris Baghsarian, 70, was allegedly abducted from his North Ryde home in the early hours of February 13. A large-scale search was initiated, and police appealed for his safe return. His body was discovered 11 days later, near a golf club in the semi-rural Sydney suburb of Pitt Town.
Investigators believe Mr. Baghsarian was not the intended target of the kidnapping and ransom scheme. The investigation is ongoing.