A father and son who abducted a 16-year-old girl who was in a child protection programme in a failed attempt to force her into marriage in Syria have been released from custody.

The abduction occurred in the city of Erfurt, Germany, on 31st January.

The girl was forcibly taken outside the Sindbad Grillhaus restaurant.

A bystander captured the incident on video, showing the girl being dragged into a white Ford Transit van by two men, later identified as her 46-year-old father and 19-year-old brother, whose names have not been revealed.

The van sped away with its passenger door still open.

Despite an international search, the vehicle was found near Gera shortly after, but the girl remained missing.

Two days later, she was located at Prague Airport, accompanied by her father.

She was rescued, and her father was extradited to Germany.

Both men were held in pre-trial detention from February until early May.

The Erfurt Regional Court has since released them, citing no further grounds for continued custody.

Video shows the kidnapping of a girl in Erfurt, Germany, Jan. 31, 2025. A father and son dragged a 16-year-old girl off the street into a white van and sped off. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)

However, investigations into charges including unlawful deprivation of liberty are ongoing.

Authorities say the family intended to take the girl to Syria for a forced marriage.

Prior to the abduction, she had been living in a protective facility under the care of the youth welfare office.

Her name and current location remain undisclosed for safety reasons.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)