In legal terms, what do we call individuals who are taken against their will to fulfill demands?

In legal terms, individuals who are taken against their will to fulfill demands are referred to as hostages. This designation emphasizes the coercive aspect of the situation, where the captor takes an individual to exert pressure—often in the form of demands or negotiations—upon a third party, such as a government or organization. The situation typically involves a clear intent to use the hostage as leverage, making the term particularly relevant in scenarios involving ransom or political negotiations.

The other terms provided have specific legal meanings that distinguish them from "hostages." For example, "abductees" might refer to individuals taken unlawfully but lacks the specific connotation of being used as leverage for demands. "Detained persons" typically applies to individuals held by law enforcement or authorities, often for legal reasons such as investigation or questioning, rather than for ransom or coercion. "Prisoners" refers to individuals who are incarcerated after a legal process, such as a trial, and thus do not fit the context of being taken against their will for the purpose of fulfilling demands. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in law and public safety contexts, particularly when addressing situations involving criminal acts and negotiations.