Finally freed from her Somali kidnappers, an Alberta journalist is recalling being tortured and beaten while held captive for 15 months.Amanda Lindhout told CTV in a telephone interview that she and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan were released Wednesday after a ransom was “paid by our families” to their captors.Lindhout and Brennan were kidnapped in Aug. 23, 2008, while doing freelance journalism work in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.Lindhout told CTV she was doing research on “internally displaced people” in Somalia when the vehicle she was riding in was ambushed. She and Brennan were then taken around the country and kept in different locations under “extremely oppressive conditions.”“There were times that I was beaten, that I was tortured. It was an extremely difficult situation,” she said, adding food was scarce and she was only permitted to use the toilet five times a day.She said she didn't know her kidnappers but figured they were criminals “under the guise of being freedom fighters for Somalia.”When she was allowed to speak to her mother once every few months, she was given a script and forbidden to say what she wanted. She said she was also forced to contact various media outlets as her captors believed this would lead to the payment of a $1-million ransom.“In that darkness, I would just try to escape in my mind to a sunny place, usually Vancouver — in my mind — I would imagine running around Stanley Park and things like that, and that kept me going.”The press secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon issued a statement declining to comment on the case.“We are aware of the reports. We will not comment or release any information which may endanger the safety of a Canadian or other citizen,” said Natalie Sarafian.Lindhout's aunt also declined to comment when contacted by phone, adding the only news she was aware of was what had been broadcast on television.Group members on several Facebook groups dedicated to Amanda Lindhout's rejoiced upon learning she had been freed.“Extremely wonderful news. Praying for the safe transit home and back into the arms of their families so desperately waiting to be reunited. Alberta is waiting for you, Amanda,” one woman wrote.http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/11/25/11923471.html
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Freed journalist was 'beaten and tortured'
Stinking filthy habar-gidir hawiye Taking people hostage. Shows what animals the hawiye bastards are.
Finally freed from her Somali kidnappers, an Alberta journalist is recalling being tortured and beaten while held captive for 15 months.Amanda Lindhout told CTV in a telephone interview that she and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan were released Wednesday after a ransom was “paid by our families” to their captors.Lindhout and Brennan were kidnapped in Aug. 23, 2008, while doing freelance journalism work in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.Lindhout told CTV she was doing research on “internally displaced people” in Somalia when the vehicle she was riding in was ambushed. She and Brennan were then taken around the country and kept in different locations under “extremely oppressive conditions.”“There were times that I was beaten, that I was tortured. It was an extremely difficult situation,” she said, adding food was scarce and she was only permitted to use the toilet five times a day.She said she didn't know her kidnappers but figured they were criminals “under the guise of being freedom fighters for Somalia.”When she was allowed to speak to her mother once every few months, she was given a script and forbidden to say what she wanted. She said she was also forced to contact various media outlets as her captors believed this would lead to the payment of a $1-million ransom.“In that darkness, I would just try to escape in my mind to a sunny place, usually Vancouver — in my mind — I would imagine running around Stanley Park and things like that, and that kept me going.”The press secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon issued a statement declining to comment on the case.“We are aware of the reports. We will not comment or release any information which may endanger the safety of a Canadian or other citizen,” said Natalie Sarafian.Lindhout's aunt also declined to comment when contacted by phone, adding the only news she was aware of was what had been broadcast on television.Group members on several Facebook groups dedicated to Amanda Lindhout's rejoiced upon learning she had been freed.“Extremely wonderful news. Praying for the safe transit home and back into the arms of their families so desperately waiting to be reunited. Alberta is waiting for you, Amanda,” one woman wrote.http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/11/25/11923471.html
Finally freed from her Somali kidnappers, an Alberta journalist is recalling being tortured and beaten while held captive for 15 months.Amanda Lindhout told CTV in a telephone interview that she and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan were released Wednesday after a ransom was “paid by our families” to their captors.Lindhout and Brennan were kidnapped in Aug. 23, 2008, while doing freelance journalism work in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.Lindhout told CTV she was doing research on “internally displaced people” in Somalia when the vehicle she was riding in was ambushed. She and Brennan were then taken around the country and kept in different locations under “extremely oppressive conditions.”“There were times that I was beaten, that I was tortured. It was an extremely difficult situation,” she said, adding food was scarce and she was only permitted to use the toilet five times a day.She said she didn't know her kidnappers but figured they were criminals “under the guise of being freedom fighters for Somalia.”When she was allowed to speak to her mother once every few months, she was given a script and forbidden to say what she wanted. She said she was also forced to contact various media outlets as her captors believed this would lead to the payment of a $1-million ransom.“In that darkness, I would just try to escape in my mind to a sunny place, usually Vancouver — in my mind — I would imagine running around Stanley Park and things like that, and that kept me going.”The press secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon issued a statement declining to comment on the case.“We are aware of the reports. We will not comment or release any information which may endanger the safety of a Canadian or other citizen,” said Natalie Sarafian.Lindhout's aunt also declined to comment when contacted by phone, adding the only news she was aware of was what had been broadcast on television.Group members on several Facebook groups dedicated to Amanda Lindhout's rejoiced upon learning she had been freed.“Extremely wonderful news. Praying for the safe transit home and back into the arms of their families so desperately waiting to be reunited. Alberta is waiting for you, Amanda,” one woman wrote.http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/11/25/11923471.html
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