Five men have been charged in relation to the kidnapping of another man in Northern Ireland last week.
Three of the men, aged 39, 33 and 32, were charged with kidnap and blackmail and are due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates Court this morning.
The two other men, aged 19 and 21, were charged with withholding information and assisting offenders. They will appear before Ballymena Magistrates Court on December 6th.
Mark Thompson (35) was kidnapped in Randalstown, Co Antrim, on Thursday and money demanded from his close relative Margaret Thompson while making threats.
He was taken from his home at Kemmil Hill by three masked assailants armed with knives and sticks.
The victim, who is not connected to a bank or business, was threatened and bundled into his own silver BMW, then driven around in the boot while the gang tried unsuccessfully to extort money from his family.
He was released unharmed near Armoy, Co Antrim, early on Friday.