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Freed hostages return to Europe, tired but euphoric
Cologne, Aug 20: Tired but euphoric, 14 Europeans returned to an emotional reunion with their families today after an ordeal of up to six months as hostages of an Islamic radical group in the Sahara desert.
Cologne, Aug 20: Tired but euphoric, 14 Europeans returned to an emotional reunion with their families today after an ordeal of up to six months as hostages of an Islamic
radical group in the Sahara desert.
The nine Germans, four Swiss and a Dutchman landed at
the military section of Cologne airport, western Germany, just
after 7:20 am (1050 IST) on board a German Air Force plane.
After disembarking they were bussed away for a reunion with their families at a hotel close to the airport.
Juergen Chrobog, a German foreign ministry state secretary involved in the release negotiations to free them, said the former hostages were "excited and happy and euphoric".
They were healthy and "mentally also in good condition", added Chrobog, who had accompanied the tourists on the return flight.
The former hostages flew in from the Malian capital Bamako, where they had been handed over to their countries' authorities in the presence of mediators who had earlier secured their release.
Abducted in Algeria's vast Sahara desert in February and March by suspected Islamic extremists, the group was later moved into a remote region of northern Mali.
The German media reports that a ransom was paid for their release but that has been denied by the government. According to Germany's ARD public television, the ransom was of 4.6 million Euros, well down on the original demand for 45 million Euros.
After disembarking they were bussed away for a reunion with their families at a hotel close to the airport.
Juergen Chrobog, a German foreign ministry state secretary involved in the release negotiations to free them, said the former hostages were "excited and happy and euphoric".
They were healthy and "mentally also in good condition", added Chrobog, who had accompanied the tourists on the return flight.
The former hostages flew in from the Malian capital Bamako, where they had been handed over to their countries' authorities in the presence of mediators who had earlier secured their release.
Abducted in Algeria's vast Sahara desert in February and March by suspected Islamic extremists, the group was later moved into a remote region of northern Mali.
The German media reports that a ransom was paid for their release but that has been denied by the government. According to Germany's ARD public television, the ransom was of 4.6 million Euros, well down on the original demand for 45 million Euros.
Bureau Report