Kidnappers release Norwegian, Israeli tourists
- 11 years ago
A Norwegian woman and an Israeli man - seen here shortly after they were released by Bedouin kidnappers in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
The tourists were abducted on Friday while driving between the resort towns of Dahab and Taba, along South Sinai's Red Sea coast.
Security sources said the kidnappers' aim was to put pressure on authorities to release two of their relatives held for drug dealing.
The tourists' release comes after four days of negotiations, and police said they agreed to review the case against the hostage takers' relatives.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RELEASED NORWEGIAN TOURIST, ILGA PHILLIPS, SAYING:
"I'm very, very happy that I can go home to Norway, to see my family, to stay with my friends that I love so much. I'm just very relieved that this is now over."
Bedouin in the Sinai have captured tourists in the past to push for the release of relatives and friends in jail.
Earlier this month kidnappers briefly seized the country boss of U
The tourists were abducted on Friday while driving between the resort towns of Dahab and Taba, along South Sinai's Red Sea coast.
Security sources said the kidnappers' aim was to put pressure on authorities to release two of their relatives held for drug dealing.
The tourists' release comes after four days of negotiations, and police said they agreed to review the case against the hostage takers' relatives.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RELEASED NORWEGIAN TOURIST, ILGA PHILLIPS, SAYING:
"I'm very, very happy that I can go home to Norway, to see my family, to stay with my friends that I love so much. I'm just very relieved that this is now over."
Bedouin in the Sinai have captured tourists in the past to push for the release of relatives and friends in jail.
Earlier this month kidnappers briefly seized the country boss of U