French family freed after kidnap ordeal
Source: Agencies |
April 20, 2013, Saturday
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A French family kidnapped at gunpoint by Islamic extremists in Cameroon have been freed after two months in captivity, authorities said yesterday.
Neither the Cameroon or French government offered details on how or where the seven family members, including four young children, were freed. They were said to be in good health in Yaounde, the Cameroon capital, and would return to France as soon as possible.
The February 19 kidnapping came as thousands of French troops were deeply involved in a military intervention against Islamic extremists in the West African country of Mali. French officials said eight other French citizens are still being held hostage in the Sahel region of Africa.
French President Francois Hollande said authorities were able to make contact with the kidnappers through intermediaries, and negotiations intensified in recent days.
"We use all our contacts, but remain firm on our principles," Hollande said. "We are not changing the principle that France does not pay ransoms."
The French gas group GDF Suez identified the captives as Tanguy Moulin-Fournier, an employee who worked in Yaounde, and his family. The group comprised of three adults and four children, who French media said were between five and 12 years old.
Gerard Mastrallet, head of GDF, said the hostages were freed in a military operation, but did not offer details.
Last month, a video surfaced showing a man who appeared to be Moulin-Fournier saying his family was in the custody of the Islamic radical sect known as Boko Haram which wants all its members held in custody freed.
Neither the Cameroon or French government offered details on how or where the seven family members, including four young children, were freed. They were said to be in good health in Yaounde, the Cameroon capital, and would return to France as soon as possible.
The February 19 kidnapping came as thousands of French troops were deeply involved in a military intervention against Islamic extremists in the West African country of Mali. French officials said eight other French citizens are still being held hostage in the Sahel region of Africa.
French President Francois Hollande said authorities were able to make contact with the kidnappers through intermediaries, and negotiations intensified in recent days.
"We use all our contacts, but remain firm on our principles," Hollande said. "We are not changing the principle that France does not pay ransoms."
The French gas group GDF Suez identified the captives as Tanguy Moulin-Fournier, an employee who worked in Yaounde, and his family. The group comprised of three adults and four children, who French media said were between five and 12 years old.
Gerard Mastrallet, head of GDF, said the hostages were freed in a military operation, but did not offer details.
Last month, a video surfaced showing a man who appeared to be Moulin-Fournier saying his family was in the custody of the Islamic radical sect known as Boko Haram which wants all its members held in custody freed.
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