An Australian billionaire has survived a shocking kidnapping attempt by bravely fending off his alleged attackers.
Tim Heath, who made his fortune gambling on cryptocurrency, is said to have been targeted at his luxury apartment in the Estonian capital Tallinn at the end of July.
News of the brutal attack only emerged months later, after one of the suspects appeared in the Tallinn District Court.
Ilgar Mamedov, from another Eastern European country, Georgia, had been in custody since the alleged attack and sought bail. ERR news reported.
Research publication Eesti Express reported that Mamedov and others had gone to Estonia to allegedly attempt to kidnap Mr. Heath.
In a plan reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller, on July 29, men in hi-vis vests posing as painter-decorators entered the apartment building in Tallinn’s Old Town where Mr. Heath lives.
They lay in wait for the Australian businessman but he was able to fend them off when they allegedly attacked him.
The men had reportedly purchased equipment from a hardware store several days earlier and were reportedly planning to take Mr. Heath to a remote hideout in the Kakerdaja swamp, about 40 miles from Tallinn.
Australian billionaire Tim Heath (pictured) has survived a shocking kidnapping attempt by bravely fending off his alleged attackers
They had rented a property through Airbnb, but because it had a security camera and the gang had used a rental car from Bolt, this made it easier for Estonian authorities to track and arrest them.
The court heard that investigations into the failed alleged kidnap attempt are ongoing.
A prosecutor said none of the alleged criminals are Estonian citizens, but the number has not been disclosed and so far Mamedov is the only one named.
He was arrested in Lithuania – another Eastern European country – and extradited to Estonia.
The motive for the alleged attempted kidnapping is not known, but given Mr Heath’s vast wealth it is likely that it was financial in nature.
The Australian Financial Review estimates his fortune at $2.27 billion and he is considered the 62nd richest Australian.
The alleged kidnapping attempt took place the week before the opening of the $100 million Bombay Club, a casino designed for wealthy clients known as high rollers, in Tallinn.
The casino features lavish gaming rooms, guest rooms, cigar lounges, restaurants and other facilities.
Mr Heath, who made his fortune gambling on cryptocurrency, is said to have been targeted at his luxury apartment in the Estonian capital Tallinn (pictured)
Mr Heath, 46, started his business career in 2013 with an online poker website that later became Bitcasino.io.
He is also the founder of Yolo Group, which owns other online casinos and sports betting platforms, including Sportsbet.io.
Some of his companies are shirt sponsors of English Premier League football teams.
Yolo is based in Estonia, where approximately 1,000 people work.
An avid cricket fan, Mr Heath has been a driving force in the development of the sport in Estonia.