Captors free Somali journalist; no word on Amanda LindhoutMOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali journalist who was kidnapped along with Sylvan Lake freelance reporter Amanda Lindhout last August was released on Friday, but provided no information about the whereabouts or welfare of his Alberta-born colleague or her Australian photographer. Abdifatah Mohamed Elmi said clan elders negotiated his release and no ransom was paid. Lindhout, a freelance television and print reporter, was travelling with Elmi and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan when they were kidnapped on Aug. 23 near the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Lindhout and Brennan, who had arrived in Somalia three days earlier, were part of a group that was returning from a visit to a refugee camp some 20 km southwest of the capital when the kidnapping occurred. Elmi told The Associated Press that he was blindfolded and separated from the two Western journalists when they were taken and has no idea where they are being held. Reporters Without Borders said Elmi’s release was “obviously good news,” but added that relief won’t come until the two other journalists are freed.
“Our concern about their fate is as strong as ever given the growing instability in Mogadishu,” the Paris-based group said in a news release. “All the actors involved should combine their efforts in order to obtain their release as soon as possible.” Scott Deederly, constituency assistant for Red Deer MP Earl Dreesen, said on Friday that he has already spoken with Foreign Affairs, which is working to confirm news of the release. “I have spoken with the family already just to update them.” Out of respect for the family’s privacy, Deederly would not comment on their reaction to the latest development. Dreeshen was out of the country and not available for comment. Former MP Bob Mills, who has also followed Lindhout’s kidnapping closely and has spoken often with the family, was also out of the country. In a Christmas Eve posting on Lindhout’s Facebook page, father Jon Lindhout thanked everyone for their support for Nigel and Amanda. In Ottawa, Foreign Affairs spokesman Daniel Barbarie said the government welcomed the news and is continuing to do what it can to facilitate their freedom. Barbarie said the department is pursuing “all appropriate channels to seek further information about Lindhout’s welfare and to assist the families in securing her safe release” as well as that of Brennan.
The National Union of Somali Journalists in Mogadishu has repeatedly demanded an end to the kidnapping of journalists.
The group’s secretary-general, Omar Faruk Osman, said on Friday that he was relieved at the news, but said his group remained “tremendously concerned over the destiny of our colleagues.”
Somali kidnappers reportedly threatened to kill Lindhout and Brennan last month if a $2.5-million ransom was not paid in 15 days. That deadline passed and the kidnappers have not been heard from since.
— With files from Advocate staff
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