University student Hendy Munir was released late Thursday after his abduction Wednesday, a police officer said.

West Jakarta Police crimes division head Comr. Sujudi said Friday the kidnappers released Hendy after his family paid a Rp 20 million (US$2,174) ransom.

"He was released last night at 10 p.m. in Bekasi. The police are now investigating the case," Sujadi said, as quoted by Detik.com.

Hendy, a student at Tarumanegara University in Grogol, West Jakarta, was kidnapped by a man in front of his campus Wednesday at 10 p.m.

The abductor later called Hendy's brother, Fendy, demanding Rp 30 million for his brother's safe return. Fendy transferred Rp 5 million before reporting the incident to West Jakarta Police.

Later, Fendy made further transfers and his brother was released after he had transferred a total Rp 20 million.

Hendy's case is one of many college student abductions that have occurred in Jakarta.

In a previous incident, a female college student was kidnapped by three men in front of Citraland shopping mall in Grogol, West Jakarta, on the night of Feb. 16.

She was taken to a hotel, beaten, robbed and raped. One of the abductors, Alex Lailan, was arrested Feb. 21, while the other two are still at large.

Last month,Kompas daily reported another college student, Probo Pramono, was kidnapped by four men on Jan. 21 in Glodok, West Jakarta, on his way home.

The kidnappers demanded Rp 200 million in ransom from his parents. He was beaten and robbed, but managed to escape. None of the abductors have been arrested.

On Nov. 7 last year, a 23-year-old student, Anthony Reza Prasetya, was robbed, abducted and beaten by four men when he was waiting for a bus in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

One of the men called his father and demanded Rp 5 million. After negotiations, the abductors agreed to Rp 1.5 million and released the student.

On Oct. 29, Trisakti University student Denis Jonathan, 22, was abducted in front of his campus in Grogol, West Jakarta, by four men in a taxi. The kidnappers forced him to ask for Rp 20 million from his parents.

He was beaten and released the following day when the abductors became impatient waiting for the money.

In April 2007, two other Trisakti students were kidnapped in separate incidents and released after their families paid ransom money.

Despite the rash of abductions, there has been little apparent police action to prevent these crimes.

Usually, police consider a case closed once an abductee has been released. (dre)

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