Norwegian held captive in Yemen released

A 34-year-old Norwegian held captive in Yemen for nearly two weeks has been released. This was confirmed Friday morning by the Norwegian Department of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre)

The man was abducted by members of a local tribe in the capital Sanaa on Januaru\y 15th, and there have since been negotiations between Yemeni authorities and the kidnappers for the release of the Norwegian.

The Yemeni newspaper Mareb Press reported late Thursday evening that the man had been released and handed over to the local authorities in the Marib Province.

- I am pleased and relieved that the man has been released, and that he is unharmed, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

- I also want to thank the Yemeni authorities for their determined efforts to negotiate the release of the Norwegian. I am also pleased by the close cooperation with the UN, both in Sanaa and New York, Støre says.

The Norwegian had been working for the UNDP in Yemen, and is now safely back in Sanaa.

(NRK)

Friday, 27 January 2012 08:32

Written by Rolleiv Solholm

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