Thanks for your support Reggie. I'm fine, I grew up in Belfast in the 70's and 80's, we've just seen the 30th anniversary of the two soldiers being beaten to death by a baying mob, I don't frighten easily. This was just a group of wee lads taking an opportunity for some quick cash (and entertainment). I hadn't considered that it was kidnapping, but now that you say it...
Thankfully I know my way around Lviv very well, so at no time did I ever lose track of where I was. Had I done, I might have been a bit more frightened. I knew it was the money they were after, foolishly in the initial incident (a dispute with a taxi driver), I let them see how much I was carrying. When they put me in the car, I was resigned to being robbed, and I didn't take a beating at least. It's a lesson learnt. Despite the fact that I had called them, they told me I could go home if I paid a fine, so they were getting the cash one way or the other. Next time, I'll take the easy way out!
I will register the complaint with NABU, and will update here too. In the meantime, I'd advise any expats in L'viv not to seek help from the police unless it is a last resort.