Kidnappers in Yemen free Swiss researcher
Source: Agencies |
March 1, 2013, Friday
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A Swiss researcher kidnapped almost a year ago in Yemen has been freed and is safe and in good health, the Swiss foreign ministry said yesterday.
The woman, identified by Swiss authorities as Sylvia Abrahat, 35, was taken on March 13, 2012, in the port city of Hodeida where she worked as a researcher at an institute.
The foreign ministry said that she had been freed on Wednesday with the help of officials from Qatar, who had led the negotiations for her release.
"She is currently in the care of representatives of the foreign ministry and will be returned to Switzerland as soon as possible," spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger said.
He said that she did not appear to have suffered any physical injuries. "Her state of health is overall good, considering the circumstances," he added.
At the time the woman was kidnapped, Yemeni security officials said she had been abducted by tribesmen, but tribesmen in the area denied that, saying instead she had been taken by militants to the southern province of Shabwa, an al-Qaida stronghold.
Kidnapping of foreigners is frequent in Yemen, where hostages are used as bargaining chips to secure release of Yemeni prisoners or to get cash.
Eltschinger did not give any details on who may have been behind the kidnapping, but said "Switzerland paid no ransom." He did say, however, that it was help from Qatar that made her release possible.
The woman, identified by Swiss authorities as Sylvia Abrahat, 35, was taken on March 13, 2012, in the port city of Hodeida where she worked as a researcher at an institute.
The foreign ministry said that she had been freed on Wednesday with the help of officials from Qatar, who had led the negotiations for her release.
"She is currently in the care of representatives of the foreign ministry and will be returned to Switzerland as soon as possible," spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger said.
He said that she did not appear to have suffered any physical injuries. "Her state of health is overall good, considering the circumstances," he added.
At the time the woman was kidnapped, Yemeni security officials said she had been abducted by tribesmen, but tribesmen in the area denied that, saying instead she had been taken by militants to the southern province of Shabwa, an al-Qaida stronghold.
Kidnapping of foreigners is frequent in Yemen, where hostages are used as bargaining chips to secure release of Yemeni prisoners or to get cash.
Eltschinger did not give any details on who may have been behind the kidnapping, but said "Switzerland paid no ransom." He did say, however, that it was help from Qatar that made her release possible.
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