German hostage freed in Kabul
October 10, 2014
A German special military unit called the KSK has rescued a kidnapped aid worker. Bernd M. had been kidnapped in Pakistan by an al Qaeda-affiliated group in Punjab province in January 2012.
He had been working there for the German aid organization Welthungerhilfe, according to media reports, to help after the devastating floods of 2010. According to information released by German newspaper Bild, the aid worker was released in the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul.
A spokesperson for the German foreign office told Bild, "We can confirm that the German hostage is now free." The ministry wished to refrain from giving his entire name.
He is now "in the care of the German government" and is doing well. "He is receiving medical and psychological treatment," said the spokesperson, adding that foreign forces were involved in the hostage's rescue.
At the beginning of the year, a video message was aired on Pakistan's Al Alan TV. Said to be from May 2013, it shows Bernd M. apparently reading out a message in English and calling on Chancellor Angela Merkel for help.
In the video, he said he was kidnapped by the al Qaeda-affiliated Pakistan Mujahideen.
"I want to live. I am scared. I want to get out of here. I want to go back to my family. If necessary, come by yourself to Pakistan, protest and don't go back without me. My hope lies on you, Mrs. Merkel."
He then calls on the German government to put pressure on the Pakistani government to "help me and do everything to get me out of this misery ... Time is running out for me.
"My life is dependent on the acceptance of the demands of the Mujahideen. Now finalize the deal."
In a personal note to his family at the end of the video, he says, "I am longing to see you all very soon. This could have been my last message."
sb/jr (dpa, epa, AFP)