The Finnish couple and Austrian man abducted in Sanaa, Yemen, on 21 December have been released after over four months in captivity, Erkki Tuomioja (SDP), the Minister for Foreign Affairs, confirmed in a press conference late on Thursday evening. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the couple, Atte and Leila Kaleva, were freed by the kidnappers on Wednesday and are currently in Vienna, Austria, receiving treatment. “They are safe now and will return to their families as soon as possible,” Tuomioja said. Elsewhere, the ministry shed little light on the details of their release and the role of neighbouring Oman in the mediation process, with Tuomioja insisting that abductions necessitate a cautious communication policy. “You must recognise that over ten people abducted last year in Yemen remain missing.” A second press conference is scheduled for this afternoon, with Helsingin Sanomat suggesting that the couple may return to Finland already today.
HT
AFP / Lehtikuva / STR
