Four French hostages kidnapped by Al Qaeda’s north African arm three years ago in Niger have been released.
President Francois Holland confirmed the release of Pierre Legrand, Daniel Larribe, Thierry Dol and Marc Feret who were kidnapped by Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb in September 2010 while working for French nuclear group Areva and a subsidiary of construction group Vinci in Arliti in Niger.
It is alleged that the French government paid ransom for the release of the men but when contacted for comment, the French government denied the allegations.
“we don’t play their game,” said the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius denying that government has paid ransom.
Addressing a press conference in Slovakia, president Holland said, the experience has been hectic for the gentlemen characterized by suffering and torture.
“It has been there years of suffering for these citizens who have been held by jailers without scruples and three years of suffering for the families who have lived hell and today are relieved,” said Holland.
The French men were received at the Niemey Airport by France’s foreign and defence ministers.
Comments
About Author
