THE teenage brother of Birmingham City's Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios has been kidnapped.
Edwin René Palacios, aged 15, was abducted from his home in La Ceiba, Honduras, by an armed gang.
“The family has asked us not to get involved, but the police are going to investigate the kidnapping,” a Honduran police spokesman said, adding that he was unaware if a ransom has been demanded.
Wilson Palacios, aged 23, who moved to Blues on loan from Olimpia in August, has played five games this season in the Barclays Premier League, the last a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, and also appeared in the 3-0 Carling Cup defeat by Blackburn Rovers.
Such a crime is not unknown in Honduras, where there have been 33 kidnappings already this year.
In December 2002, Henry Suazo, the the brother of David Suazo, the Inter Milan and Honduras striker, was abducted.
Henry, who played in the domestic league for Marathon, was released after two weeks.
Today a spokesman for Blues said: "The club is supporting the player at this difficult time and helping him to remain in constant contact with his family in Honduras.
"The matter is being dealt with capably by the Honduran Police, therefore Wilson is staying in the UK in the hope that his 15-year-old brother, Edwin Rene, will be returned to his family soon.
"Wilson has the club's permission to return back to South America at any time if he so wishes.
"Birmingham City Football Club will continue to support Wilson in whichever way we can.
"Our thoughts are with Wilson and his family, and everyone at the club is praying for Edwin's speedy and safe return.''
