TEHRAN An informed source at the Agriculture Department of Gonabad said that bandits have kidnapped one of their experts in nearby Rouchi village.

The source, on the condition of anonymity, told IRNA that Mohammadreza Zare'i was to attend a ceremony to mark the birth anniversary of Imam Reza (AS) Sunday night in Rouchi village but was kidnapped on the way.

Zare'i's car was found in the village later. The case is under investigation by security officials of Gonabad, Khorasan Province.