Honduras: Brother of soccer star kidnapped

Soccer player Wilson Palacios (image) has been given permission by his English club to return to his native Honduras as he tries to cope with the kidnapping of his 15-year-old brother. So far the 23-year-old midfielder has decided to stay in England while Honduran police investigate the abduction of Edwin René Palacios:

According to Public Safety Department spokesman Hector Ivan Mejia, the kidnappers forced a door of the family's home open, leaving the boy's parents bound and locked up in a room. He did not know if the kidnappers had demanded a ransom. "The family has asked us not to get involved, but the police are going to investigate the kidnapping," said Mejia.

Birmingham City F.C. manager Steve Bruce has expressed his team’s support for Palacios and requested the Honduras Embassy in London to keep them updated of any developments.

There have been 33 kidnappings in Honduras this year. One of the most famous abductions involving a Honduran soccer star was the 2002 kidnapping of Henry Suazo- brother of striker David Suazo. Henry was released after two weeks.

Sources- Guardian UK, Canadian Press, MSNBC, Times Online, AFP

Image- BBC News