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Afghanistan: Abducted ICRC worker released after four weeks

by IBNS 15 Jan 2017, 07:21 pm

Kabul/Geneva, Jan 16 (IBNS): An International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worker, who was abducted in Afghanistan's Kunduz Province on Dec 19 last year, has been released and is with his family, an official release stated.

Identified as Juan Carlos, the worker was abducted while on his way to the Sub-delegation in Mazar-i-Sharif from the ICRC office.

He was held captive for almost four weeks, while his abductors left the other three colleagues travelling with him on Dec 19 unharmed.

Reacting on the development, ICRC head of delegation in Afghanistan, Monica Zanarelli said, "We are relieved and grateful that Juan Carlos is now back with us, safe and sound."

"His abduction was a terrible ordeal for him, as well as for his family, friends and colleagues," Zanarelli added.

Urging the media for Carlos' privacy, Zanarelli said, "Our priority now is Juan Carlos' well-being and getting him home to his family. We would ask everyone to respect his, and his family's, privacy at this time."