Polish brothers masterminded kidnap of British model, court told
Lukasz Herba, where he was arrested.
Doubts have been cast on her account after it emerged she went shopping with one of her captors and made no attempt to escape. She insists that she was in fear for her life.
The NCA said it and the East Midlands Special Operations Unit were providing specialist support to the Italian police during the investigation.
At Michal Herba’s extradition hearing yesterday, prosecutor Florence Iveson told the court: “It is said that Mr Herba, acting in joint enterprise with his brother Lukasz Herba between July 11 and 17, acted to kidnap and abduct and unlawfully detain Chloe Ayling.
“It is said the victim was drugged, taken from Milan to Lemie and kept from 11 to 17 July, and a ransom of €300,000 was demanded.”
Michal Herba, who was helped by an interpreter, spoke only to give his address and date of birth and to state that he contested his extradition.
Katherine Newey, for the defendant, made no application for bail.
“The offence took place relatively recently. No evidence has been served in this case, Mr Herba denies involvement,” she said.
The case has been listed for a full hearing on September 25.
The defendant is due back in court for a bail application on August 23.