Swiss hostages freed in Yemen

2005-11-22 18:34

Saana - Two Swiss tourists seized by kidnappers in Yemen have been freed and were in the care of local authorities, say reports.

SABA quoted security sources as saying that Bruno Bayer and his wife, Katerina, were released early on Tuesday and had arrived at the governorate of Marib, east of the Yemeni capital.

A security source said: "The two hostages will continue their tourism trip in Yemen."

A tribal source said that their release was secured after the intervention of tribal chiefs related to to abductor.

Legitimate demands

The source said: "Six chiefs from the Obaida tribe have pledged to the abductor that they would carry his legitimate demands to the authorities and exert pressure in order that they are met.

"This pledge has allowed the release of the two Swiss hostages."

The abductor had been identified as Hassan al-Demn, a member of the Damashkah tribe who was demanding the release of his brother, Saleh, arrested at the end of October for a car theft.

Yemen in 1999 set up a special court for the urgent handling of cases linked to the kidnapping of foreigners.

More than 200 foreigners were taken hostage between 1991 and 2001 in Yemen. But, almost all the cases were resolved peacefully after the intervention of tribal leaders.

- AFP