12 Aug 2009
Somali gunmen have finally released four European aid workers from a French charity and two Kenyan pilots seized last November in central Somalia.

Two French women, a Belgian and a Bulgarian working for Action Contre La Faim (ACF - Action Against Hunger) were freed in Somalia on Tuesday after being held hostage for nine months.

"Apparently all are in good health, they'll have a medical check-up," the French channel NGO confirmed in a statement.

The six were snatched by some 20 heavily-armed men on November 5 as they were trying to leave the airstrip in Dhusamareb, some 360 miles (580 kilometers) north of Mogadishu and near the Ethiopian border, to fly to Nairobi.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a statement offered "his warmest congratulations to all those whose involvement brought an end to the hostage-taking."

Press TV correspondent in Somalia learned the kidnapped were released in return for a huge ransom, amounting to nearly $6 million.

Somali waters, which remain a hotbed of piracy despite the presence of foreign navy missions, have seen scores of kidnappings in recent months.

Those kidnapped, mostly foreigners or Somalis working with international organizations, are often released unharmed in return for ransom.

Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout and Australian photographer Nigel Geoffrey Brennan, abducted on August 23 last year; and two French intelligence agents, seized last month in Mogadishu, have not been released yet.

This is while Lindhout reportedly gave birth to a baby boy in captivity nearly two weeks ago.
presstv