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.

 

[Lisbeth_S]

I wonder if police know for a fact that he is the wrong target....they sound very confident and the way they phrased it sounded like they already know who was supposed to be taken.

Very weird.

The other disturbing option that's floating in my mind is whether this could have been "inspired" by the Guthrie case given all the attention it has received. I have to say, it would be a pretty stupid thing exactly because of all the attention it has attracted, but criminals often are not the smartest tools in the shed.

Regardless of the motive, it's badness all over.

 

[Lisbeth_S]

I wonder if police know for a fact that he is the wrong target....they sound very confident and the way they phrased it sounded like they already know who was supposed to be taken.

Very weird.

The other disturbing option that's floating in my mind is whether this could have been "inspired" by the Guthrie case given all the attention it has received. I have to say, it would be a pretty stupid thing exactly because of all the attention it has attracted, but criminals often are not the smartest tools in the shed.

Regardless of the motive, it's badness all over.

Replying to my post to add something I just read, that answers my questions.

"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."

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

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I wonder if police know for a fact that he is the wrong target....they sound very confident and the way they phrased it sounded like they already know who was supposed to be taken.

Very weird.

The other disturbing option that's floating in my mind is whether this could have been "inspired" by the Guthrie case given all the attention it has received. I have to say, it would be a pretty stupid thing exactly because of all the attention it has attracted, but criminals often are not the smartest tools in the shed.

Regardless of the motive, it's badness all over.

The thought relating this to Guthrie is going to become so familiar in our futures.... that is for certain.
This is why I thought they were being rather low key in the press...as not to create the same bee swarm.

BUT they still have not made it more clear why they seem to know its a mistaken identity....

 

[nhmemorymaker]

The thought relating this to Guthrie is going to become so familiar in our futures.... that is for certain.
This is why I thought they were being rather low key in the press...as not to create the same bee swarm.

BUT they still have not made it more clear why they seem to know its a mistaken identity....

ok, thanks Lisbeth_S... at least a bit more clarity on the crime family... but geeez let him go