German Hostage Released in Afghanistan
Afghanistan | 10.10.2007
German Hostage Released in Afghanistan
A German man who was kidnapped in Afghanistan in July has been released, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
"As of today, the German citizen, Rudolf Blechschmidt, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan is once again free," the foreign minister said in a statement, adding that the German amba
More..ssador in Afghanistan had spoken to the man by telephone. "We are happy and relieved."
Currently under the protection of Afghan security forces, the 62-year-old engineer is expected to return to the German Embassy in Kabul on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
A Pakistani news agency reported the four Afghans kidnapped with Blechschmidt were also released.
Blechschmidt and the Afghans with him were released in return for the release from prison of six Taliban members, said Mohammad Nahim, a district chief in the Wardak province, according to the Associated Press.
Blechschmidt had been taken hostage on July 18 with another German, who was found murdered four days after the kidnapping. The Taliban had demanded Germany withdraw its 3,000 troops from Afghanistan, which Berlin refused.
Four Red Cross employees were taken hostage by the Taliban on Sept. 27 while trying to facilitate the German's release. The four were released in good health two days later.
Other German still in Iraqi hands
Steinmeier reminded Germans not to forget the fate of Sinan Krause, who remains in the hands of Iraqi kidnappers.
"We are continuing to work on his release as well," Steinmeier said.
Krause was taken hostage in Baghdad in February with his mother, who was set free in July.
Source : Deutsche Welle @ dw-world.de
Picture: Tagesschau @ tagesschau.de
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Added: Oct 10 2007 In: middle_east
By: Ediman 
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Comments - sort by newest to oldest
WOW....Good news from stonageastan.!!
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "alivethruluck" (R)
Cheers to him & his family. Hope the Taliban that were turned loose in exchange have some "smart dust" in their clothes.
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "TheSanityInspector" Premium
'German Hostage Released in Afghanistan'
HE WAS'NT KIDNAPPED! HE WAS ARRESTED AS WOULD ANY TERRORIST FROM THE WEST FOUND IN AGANISTAN....
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "might_is_right" (R)
"Scheisse, what was I THINKING!"
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "lasrever" (R)
Wlcome home mate
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "cygiso" (R)
Good to hear.
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "SGT_USMC" (R)
Finally.
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "germaniac" (R)
And like the story says, don't forget the other one, still being held hostage.
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "TheSanityInspector" (R)
HE WAS'NT KIDNAPPED! HE WAS ARRESTED AS WOULD ANY TERRORIST FROM THE WEST FOUND IN AGANISTAN....
Once the Taliban is elected to office in Afghanistan, then they can be said to be "arresting" people. They are murderous medieval terrorists until then.
Actually, this being Afghanistan, they could conceivable be elected AND murderous medieval terrorists.
Posted Oct-10-2007 by "TheSanityInspector"
HE WAS'NT KIDNAPPED! HE WAS ARRESTED AS WOULD ANY TERRORIST FROM THE WEST FOUND IN AGANISTAN....
arrested? would u say the same stupit bullshit if it were a British guy?
Posted Aug-21-2008 by "Kuma982"