Tala Tala: Leicester murder victim kidnapped and tortured by killers

Daryoush Kholghnik (left) and Talib Mombeini were found guilty of murder and manslaughter respectively on Friday

Two men have been convicted of kidnapping, torturing and killing another man involved in a money scam.

Daryoush Kholghnik and Talib Mombeini bundled Tala Tala into the back of his own car and held him at a house in Leicester before cutting and stabbing him repeatedly in a prolonged attack.

Calls were also made to the 53-year-old's family demanding money in exchange for medical help.

Kholghnik was found guilty of murder and Mombeini guilty of manslaughter.

The pair are due to be sentenced on Monday at Leicester Crown Court.

Leicestershire Police said Mr Tala suffered 190 cuts and 17 stab wounds while being held against his will.

Cash demands

It is believed the attack followed a money scam which Mr Tala had previously used to obtain money from Kholghnik and Mombeini, the force said.

Kholghnik and Mombeini, both of Vaughan Way, Leicester, kidnapped Mr Tala in the Braunstone area of the city at about 23:30 GMT on 23 March and drove him away in his own car.

He was taken to a house in Harrow Road, Westcotes and stabbed multiple times.

Calls were then made to people known to Mr Tala throughout the following morning demanding money in order for him to be provided with medical help.

Police were alerted and officers found Mr Tala's car near the property with blood on the inside and outside.

Detectives forced entry into the property and found Mr Tala with severe injuries to his head, torso and limbs.

Despite first aid from officers, he died 50 minutes later.

Mr Tala died shortly after being found with severe injuries

Kholghnik was arrested at the property and Mombeini was detained three days later.

On Friday, Kholghnik, 34, was convicted of kidnap and murder along with two counts of blackmail.

Mombeini, 38, had previously pleaded guilty to kidnap. After a trial, he was found guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder.

Following the convictions, Mr Tala's family said in a statement: "This tragedy has left both our families and friends in immense pain and hurt. Our lives have completely changed.

"Even if he had made poor decisions, taking matters into one's own hands is not the right way, as there are authorities for that.

"No-one deserves to go through the pain he did before passing away."

Det Ch Insp Mark Sinski said: "The torture and harm that was inflicted upon Mr Tala is absolutely horrific.

"My thoughts are very much with his family who have had to hear the extremely distressing detail of what happened to their loved one and who will have to live with this for the rest of their lives."