Sudan: Two Russians abducted in Darfur freed
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Sudan: Two Russians abducted in Darfur freed, 7 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/558bc4eb15.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 07, 2015
Two Russians kidnapped in Sudan's restive Darfur region in January have been freed by their captors, a spokesman for Russia's embassy in Khartoum said on June 6.
"There was no ransom or use of force in order to release them. It was a peaceful release," embassy spokesman Artur Safukov said.
The semiofficial Sudan Media Center quoted a Sudanese official as saying that the abductors had earlier demanded money for their release but that paying a ransom would have set a precedent that encourages kidnapping.
The men, Sergei Cherepanov and Mikhail Antyufeev, were abducted by an unidentified armed group near the town of Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur state, on January 29.
They were employed by Russia's UTair company and were in Sudan on a contract for the United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was "deeply gratified" by the safe release of the UNAMID contractors, his spokesman said.
Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
