Australia Australia - Chris Baghsarian, 85, Sydney, Kidnapped 13 February 2026

[imstilla.grandma]

Detectives say they are certain he was not the intended target, with law enforcement sources telling the ABC the abduction plot was supposed to involve a figure with links to the Alameddine crime family.

There are concerns about Baghsarian's wellbeing due his age and because he requires daily medication.

NSW Police are also investigating a video that has emerged which shows the 85-year-old with his hands tied and his face covered.

In a social media post reflecting on their lives together, Arthur Hagopian said he wanted his cousin home safely.

"As I pass by the boarded up window the intruders had shattered in their forced entry into his house, all I can do is utter a prayer for his safe return," he said.

"The Armenian community here share the agony of his son and daughter, but there is nothing on earth anyone can do until, by some miracle, the kidnappers have a change of heart, if they even possess one, and release him.

"We can't wait to pick up where we left off."

Cousin pleads with Sydney man Chris Baghsarian's abductors for release

Detectives say they are certain he was not the intended target.

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[Molly's Mom]

Police say kidnapped grandfather likely mistaken for crime network figure

This doesn't have much news but I don't feel like Mr. Baghsarian will be returned. The kidnappers risk too much by returning him. What do they say, "Oops, my bad"?

 

[Molly's Mom]

I'm shocked this case isn't getting more press here in Australia. Considering the Nancy Guthrie case has some parallels and is making headlines still here. I hope it wasn't a copycat although the potential link to organised crime makes it unlikely IMO

I can only hope the reason it's not getting more press is that there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes and the police don't want to jeopardize anything.