foreigners kidnapped

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23 October 2011 Last updated at 21:45 GMT Share this pageEmail Print Share this page

163ShareFacebookTwitter.Three European aid workers kidnapped in Algeria
The Polisario movement, which runs the camp, said the attackers had driven towards Mali. Continue reading the main story
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Three European aid workers have been kidnapped from a refugee camp in western Algeria.

Two Spanish workers and an Italian were seized overnight from the Rabuni camp near Tindouf, their foreign ministries confirmed.

The camp houses Sahrawi refugees from Western Sahara.

The Polisario movement, which is seeking independence for Western Sahara and runs the camp, blamed local al-Qaeda militants for the kidnappings.

In a statement, the Algeria-based group said the armed attackers had arrived at the camp in four-wheel drive vehicles and left in the direction of neighbouring Mali "from where they came".

The Algerian government condemned the kidnapping, but said it was awaiting more detailed reports before commenting further.

"We condemn this criminal act with the greatest vigour," Foreign Ministry spokesman Amar Belani said in a statement to the AFP news agency.

Western Sahara was annexed by Morocco in 1975 and the Polisario Front has campaigned for its independence since then.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) sprang from an Algerian Muslim extremist movement, and has become a problem for many countries across north Africa.

It targets Western interests, but has so far not been known to target camps for Western Sahara refugees

 

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Home Last Updated: Sun Oct 30, 2011 21:29 pm (KSA) 18:29 pm (GMT) Three Europeans kidnapped in Algeria are alive and held by al-Qaeda: mediator
Sunday, 30 October 2011


The Sahrawi refugee camp in Tindouf, western Algeria, where sympathizers of the Polisario Front reportedly helped al-Qaeda members seek out the hostages, who were working in the camp. (File Photo) inShare.0By AFP
BAMAKO
An Italian and two Spaniards who were kidnapped in Algeria a week ago, are alive and being held by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a mediator told AFP after contact with the kidnappers.

“The three European hostages are alive. It is one of the kidnappers, a member of AQIM, who gave us this information,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“They said they will make their demands later, but for now the hostages are well and alive.”

He said less than ten unarmed AQIM militants had entered the Sahrawi refugee camp in Tindouf, western Algeria, where sympathizers of the Polisario Front gave them weapons and helped them seek out the hostages, who were working in the camp.

Western Sahara’s Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which is fighting for its territory’s independence from Morocco, has its government based in the refugee camps.

“We know that two armed men, wearing the Polisario uniform, let the vehicles carrying the hostages flee,” the source added.

A Malian official “vigorously denied” the Polisario’s claim that the hostages were being held in the Malian desert.

“When you want to be a credible movement, you don’t house terrorists in your midst. Instead of accusing Mali, it is up to the Polisario to clean up its own stables.”

The kidnapping on October 23 was the first by AQIM in this area, showing that the organisation’s reach extends to all of the sub-region.

It had already abducted foreigners in Mali, Mauritania, Niger.

Al-Qaeda’s North African franchise, which has not officially claimed the kidnapping, is currently holding four French citizens kidnapped in northern Niger in September 2010