 Five German tourists have been reported missing in eastern Yemen, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman says. It is unclear whether the tourists had been kidnapped, but that every effort was being made to ensure their safety, the spokesman said. "Hans, where should we holiday this year?"
"I don't know, Gertrude, Algeria is just so predictible. I've got it, Yemen!" |
Last week two Austrian tourists were kidnapped by Yemeni tribesmen who had been demanding the release of their relatives from prison. The tribesmen released the tourists unharmed on Saturday. German spokesman Martin Jaeger said the tourists, who are members of the same family, were on an organised tour when their vehicle was "delayed". "The foreign office is in contact with all the relevant authorities and is trying to find out where this family could be," he added. "We will make every effort to bring this family to safety as quickly as possible."
 UPDATE: The former German deputy foreign minister and his family have been kidnapped while on a touring holiday in Yemen, according to reports on German state television.| Bagged them a choice set of hostages, did they? |
Unidentified sources in Berlin and Yemen identified the hostages as Juergen Chrobog, his wife and three children. | Germany to cave in 5..4..3... |
The five were travelling in a two-car convoy in an area called al-Irim, Shabwa province, in the east of the country, when a group of armed tribesmen surrounded their vehicles, Yemeni government officials said. The Germans were forced out of their cars and into the vehicles of the gunmen, who then sped off. It is understood that the kidnap is intended to put pressure the Yemeni government for the release of jailed members of their tribe. The kidnappers belonged to the al-Abdullah bin Dahha tribe, a number of whose members were arrested two months ago after a clash with another tribe. The bin Dahha tribe has accused the government of favoring the second tribe. |