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Kidnapped British, Spanish journalists freed in Somalia
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by Dave Keating | January 5, 2009 at 04:56 am
132 views | 20 Recommendations | 4 comments
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Two European journalists who were kidnapped in Somalia six weeks ago have been released by their abductors unharmed.
Two journalists, from Britain and Spain, have been released after almost six weeks in captivity in Somalia's breakaway Puntland state, police and the two governments said.
"The two journalists are free after their ordeals," said the head of Puntland police, Abdullahi Said Samatar on Sunday.
"They're taking some rest now and they will be available later. I'm happy to see them recovering their freedom."
The release was confirmed by the Spanish government in Madrid, whose ambassador to Kenya traveled to Puntland from Nairobi to meet British writer Colin Freeman and Spanish photographer Jose Cendon on Sunday afternoon.
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at 04:58 on January 5th, 2009
At least some get freed other are not so fortunate.
at 05:00 on January 5th, 2009
Very good news, Dave. Thanks!
at 03:22 on January 6th, 2009
See photo of José Cendón (left) in an IDP camp in South Kivu province (DR Congo) in September 2006.
Maneno has contributed a photo to this story.
at 20:33 on January 31st, 2009
Hi there,
Well I work for the World Food Programme and was on a short mission conducting radio training for our national and international staff in various parts of the country. This photo was taken in Bosasso (a coastal town in the north of the country). They are my guards as I was not allowed to walk the 500m from the accommodation to the office. These guys would follow me everywhere and once we started talking they were very friendly and helpful. Kidnapping is a growth industry in various parts of Somalia these days, I believe that some of the pirates (fisherman) take to it as another form of income during the times they cannot fish at sea or the coalition forces navies are in the areas they work. Either way it pays to take security seriously and be aware that no matter who you are, you are a possible target.
Allen Rooke has contributed a photo to this story.