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Swiss language teacher kidnapped in Yemen
[Yemen Post]  A Swiss language teacherI've always wanted to learn to speak Swiss... was kidnapped on Thursday by gunnies in the Red city of al-Hodieda. The English language That's not Swiss! teacher was moved to the southeastern province of Shabwa, an AQAP stronghold, security sources told Yemen Post on condition of anonymity. Sources close to AQAP denied their responsibility for the incident, saying the krazed killer group had nothing to do with it. The Swiss government confirmed the kidnapping on Friday and said it was contacting with the Yemeni authorities in order to negotiate a safe release of the Swiss hostage. Kidnapping incidents have increased in the last ten years, with rustics resorting to abduct foreigners to force the government to release their imprisoned relatives, or blackmail it for money. Earlier the year, a UN Norwegian worker was snatched by rustics from central province of Marib in one of the busiest streets at al-Musbahi roundabout,about two blocks away from the Presidential Palace where there is constant heavy security presence, in the Yemeni capital of Sana. As usual, the Norwegian was freed unharmed after the rustics had struck a deal with the government, which has agreed to release some of thier prisoners. Ahmed al-Alfi, a senior employer in the Ministry of Tourism, attributed the low revenues from the tourism sector in the country, where there is many historic, old , beautiful, and natural places to visit and enjoy, to the frequent kidnappings of westerners. "Such incidents shows ignorance, indifference, and stupidity, as well as negligence on the part of authorities which should have raised awareness among the people of the danger and bad effects on the national economy by such reckless, uncalled for acts." He said. Posted by: Fred 2012-03-18 |
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