Cdn Jounalist Amanda Lindhout & Australian Nigel Brennan Released

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | November 25, 2009 at 11:09 am

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Canadian Journalist Amanda Lindhout and Australian Photo Journalist Nigel Brennan have been released by their captors in Somalia.

Both journalist have been in custody since August 2008.

Reuters and CBC Newsnet confirmed this at 1:40pm EST. The two journalists apparently are in the Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu, Their condition is not known at this time.

The story has also been confirmed by Reuters.

Amanda Lindhout has given at least one interview. She spoke of her conditions and made to sit in a corner of a room without windows and light.

She was beaten and tortured - most of these beatings took place prior to her being forces to phone her mother. She was made to read off a script. The hostage takers wanted $1 Million in ransom.

Amanda apparently has given several interview now. She mentioned in one interview that the Somali government secured their release. She thought that money was raised by her and Nigel Brennan's parents to pay ransom. She did not know what amount that was.

Amanda plight first came to light NP Story Here:

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 11:16 on November 25th, 2009

Yes it is, she apparently just gave her first interview and her parents are waiting for her in Kenya. It may have involved some ransome.

Amy Judd

at 12:27 on November 25th, 2009

Good news for sure

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 12:35 on November 25th, 2009

It is indeed

Jessica Tucker

at 12:36 on November 25th, 2009

CTV News released today that the release of these two journalists was based on a ransom payment made. However, seeing as the Canadian Government does not pay ransom payments, these ransom requests were paid by their families!

CTV News: Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout freed

It is good to hear they are finally making their way home!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 12:41 on November 25th, 2009

This is in fact confirmed by CBC, which reported that Amanda has given several interviews so far.

YankeeJim

at 12:53 on November 25th, 2009

Get as far away from that place as possible. Google Earth jouranlism is as good as it gets.

a211423

at 14:18 on November 25th, 2009

This is great news. Maybe Iran will follow and release the American hikers.

René

at 22:29 on November 26th, 2009

Iran wants huge amounts of money for ransom for all their prisoners, they call it 'bail', but....

marianmo

at 19:19 on November 25th, 2009

glad she is out of there as well as the photographer

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 19:28 on November 25th, 2009

Thank you everyone for your comments. We are very happy here in Central Alberta that she is finally free.

marianmo

at 19:45 on November 25th, 2009

its good to see a positive story

Barry ORegan

at 14:20 on November 26th, 2009

Good news all around, except the part where the family and lefty groups blast the government for not ante'ing up the ransom money.

Since when is it the government's responsibility to bail out those who take it upon themselves to knowingly travel in war zones?

Its not like this women and photographer didn't understand what the hell Africa is all about? These two independent media types decided not to heed our governments warning about traveling in countries where the likelihood of them being killed was ignored by them and many like them!

I guess those who travel to places like this are more interested in seeking fame and a book deal hoping someone will bail out their sorry asses.

a211423

at 14:36 on November 27th, 2009

These two independent media types decided not to heed our governments warning about traveling in countries where the likelihood of them being killed was ignored by them and many like them!

People appear to be drawn by the possibility of danger and apprenhension. There was a show on a cable network called Locked Up Abroad. It was a dramatization of real events where people were arrested or kidnapped in foreign countries. It didn't take long to see how stupid these people are. One wealthy man seeking adventure tried to motorcycle alone through Central America, where he was kidnapped by terroists. Another show two men ran out of money in some middle eastern country and made a deal to smuggle gold out of the country. They were set up to be caught, and landed in a prison, where they spent a few months until one of the men's uncle bought their freedom.

The movie Midnight Express was made years ago, but people seem to never learn the dangers in foreign countries, especially if you break their laws, which could be anything they decide you have done.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 14:32 on November 26th, 2009

Thanks for commenting Barry

Jessica Tucker

at 09:27 on November 27th, 2009

Some very good points, Barry!

Mathew Reven (not verified)

at 13:52 on November 27th, 2009

Great News !! I have followed this situation for over a year now and have pleaded with everyone I know to pray for these two. My morning commute is about 40 minutes and most of those mornings over the past year included prayer for them. I believe they had "The eyes of Heaven" on them...