Two Algerian diplomats freed, former Consul dies in Mali
الشروق أونلاين
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Kidnapping of seven Algerian diplomats in northern Mali ended with the release of two hostages on Saturday, while the Consul, Boualeme Sais died following a long illness, according to a statement that was issued by the Foreign Ministry.
Same statement said that the freed diplomats are Mourad Ghessas and Kaddour Miloudi, as they were added to the three hostages who were released after a few days of their abduction, on the sixth of April 2012 in the city of Gao, that is located in the northeast of Mali, while the Azawad region was in the grip of Touareg rebels and Arab of Barabiche, following the expulsion of the regular army in Northern Mali.
Foreign Affairs statement based on identical information that was obtained by the Algerian government, to confirm the death of the consul Boualeme Sais, after a chronic disease, while the death of the other diplomat, Tahar Touati, was described by the statement as the heinous work, as a confirmation of being liquidated.
With this announcement, five hostages have returned peacefully to their parents, while two of them, who are the former Algerian consule in Gao, which his death was attributed to health conditions, and his deputy, Taher Touati, who was executed by his kidnappers, according to the statement, which was signed by the “Tawhid and Djihad Group”, that is rallying under the banner of what is known as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Statement gave no further details about the reasons for the release operation, wondering whether it was a liberation by force by the Algerian army, or the process has been settled between the kidnappers and the Algerian authorities, noting that the kidnappers, who are believed to belong to the “Tawhid and Djihad group” have raised their demands to the Algerian authorities earlier, especially the release of key figures in al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, and a 15 million euros ransom.
Family of the diplomat, Taher Touati, called upon authorities to hand over his dead body
Family of the late diplomat, Taher Touati, in Djelfa, called upon in Saturday, the highest authorities in the country, in order to intervene and retrieve the dead body of the diplomat, Taher Touati, who was executed by the “Djihad and Tawhid Movement” in Gao region, southern Mali.
Family of the diplomat was astonished because of not notifying it formally by the Foreign Ministry, which only issued a statement that merely confirms the killing of the diplomat, Taher Touati, in an atrocious manner.
Same family did not receive a consolation, until now, as the family received the news of his death through the televisions and websites.
Brother of the late diplomat confirmed that the family lived in a big shock since the announcement of the diplomat’s abduction news, who accompanied by the rest of Algerian diplomats.
