After the 1932 abduction and murder of Charles Lindbergh's baby, kidnapping became a federal crime.

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As for Central America, crime and kidnapping rings are chasing out foreign investment, the great hope of so many jobless poor.

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Asked to comment on the case by the BBC's Ukrainian service, Ukrainian interior ministry spokesman Volodymyr Polishchuk said "there was no crime, kidnapping or any unlawful actions involved".

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The crime was an armed kidnapping that occurred in 2001.

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Penalties for kidnapping, theft and white-collar crime were also toughened, with longer jail terms prescribed.

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Meanwhile, rumors continue that the Pai kidnapping was the result of a business deal gone sour involving organized crime and entertainment industry figures.

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Though Mr. Lemann is a Brazilian business icon, he moved his family to Switzerland more than a decade ago following a kidnapping attempt in Brazil, a stark reminder of persistent problems of crime in the South American nation.

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