Daring robbery of a foreign tycoon's villa in Phuket
The quiet resort island of Phuket was shaken by a high-profile crime - a raid on the property of a wealthy investor from Italy. A gang of robbers broke into his home and massacred him in order to extort money. This audacious robbery has shaken up local law enforcement agencies and caused a public outcry.
How it happened
On the night of September 4, three disguised men broke in through the back door of the private villa of an Italian businessman based in Phuket. They broke into the bedroom and took the owner by surprise.
The bandits tied the unfortunate man's hands and feet and gagged him so he could not call for help. They then proceeded to torture the victim, demanding account passwords and the whereabouts of valuables.
The victim refused to cooperate and was severely beaten. The torture lasted throughout the night. As a result, the Italian suffered serious injuries to his face and body.
What the bandits stole
Having extracted the necessary information, the robbers robbed the safe with 40 thousand euros in cash. In addition, they took the victim's expensive accessories:
- Rolex, Patek Philippe, Graff watches with a total value of more than 200 thousand dollars
- Macbook laptop
- iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 smartphones
- Sunglasses
The total damage from the robbery amounted to more than 300 thousand dollars. Also missing were the passport and other personal belongings of the Italian.
Who is behind the crime
The police quickly got on the trail of the criminals. Immediately after the robbery, three suspects fled the island. They were identified as citizens of neighboring Kazakhstan.
However, the police considered the main customers to be the Askhabov brothers - Hussein and Hasan. They are well-known MMA fighters, but with criminal tendencies. Earlier they met the victim in one of the beach cafes.
On September 5, both were arrested on charges of organizing robbery, torture and kidnapping. They face prison time if proven guilty.
What is the reputation of the Askhabov brothers
Hussein and Khasan Askhabov are ethnic Chechens. Both are mixed martial arts fighters with an impressive record of victories.
Hussein has competed for the prestigious UFC. He has 24 fights under his belt, of which he won 23. Hassan is a world champion in his weight according to the WWFC. His record is 25 fights, with 23 wins.
However, their reputation was irreparably damaged after accusations of organizing a brutal robbery in Phuket. The brothers will have to prove their innocence in order to return to the big sport.
What the crime led to
The brutal incident rocked the island of Phuket and jeopardized its reputation as a safe resort. Local authorities have promised to take extra measures to protect tourists and foreigners' property.
As for the Askhabov brothers, they will face trial and possible imprisonment. And the careers of famous athletes have been seriously damaged.
Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova
