UN hostage John Solecki released in Pakistan as militants attack mosque

[tekisui]

Source: Times Online

An American UN official who was kidnapped two months ago in southwestern Pakistan was released after Pakistani authorities freed several separatists held by the security services for the past few years, The Times has learnt.

John Solecki, the head of the UN refugee agency’s office in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, was found on Saturday night by the side of a road near Quetta, the provincial capital, with his hands and feet bound, pleading: “Help me, help me!”

Ethnic Baluch separatists had earlier claimed responsibility for the abduction and at one point threatened to kill Mr Solecki — the highest-profile Westerner to be kidnapped in Pakistan since Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was beheaded in 2002. News of Mr Solecki’s release came as a suicide bomber attacked a crowded Shia mosque in central Pakistan, killing at least 28 people.

Shakil Baloch, a spokesman for the Baluch Liberation United Front (BLUF), one of several separatist groups fighting for greater autonomy in Pakistan, told local journalists that Mr Solecki was released on humanitarian grounds. “We want to give a message to the international community that Baluch are not terrorist,” he said.

more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6041587.ece

[EFerrari]

1. Oh, thank goodness! At least one bit of good news today.

I was afraid he was dead.

[tekisui]

2. I can't believe he made it.

He lived through several deadlines. I was surprised he didn't get more attention, but most importantly I a glad he is alive and free.