Kidnap victim relatives complain about Foreign Ministry
Relatives of a family kidnapped in Yemen have complained that the German Foreign Ministry has not been keeping them properly informed. They have still not been shown the video that appeared before Christmas apparently showing the children.
The brother-in-law of the kidnapped woman said in Wednesday's edition of the Sächsischen Zeitung newspaper that information had only reached them indirectly, and that their contact with the Foreign Ministry was unsatisfactory.
Health workers Johannes and Sabine H. and their three children, from the Lausitz region of Saxony, have not been seen since they were abducted along with four other foreigners in the country’s Saada province in mid-June.
Three of the hostages – two German women and a South Korean woman – were found murdered by Yemeni authorities three days later.
Yemeni officials launched a massive search for the hostages, but since then there has been no trace of the family – which includes Lydia (5), Anna (3) and Simon (1). Authorities there believe that the kidnappers may be Shiite rebels from the mountainous region near the Saudi border.
Shortly before Christmas, a video apparently showing the children "looking exhausted" appeared, but the relatives have not been shown it. Other videos appeared in the autumn, also showing the children, but there is no trace of the 37-year-old parents.
The family has since made contact with a child psychologist in case the children are suddenly released.
Foreigners are often kidnapped in Yemen by tribesmen to be used as bargaining chips in disputes with the government. More than 200 foreigners have been abducted over the past 15 years.
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The brother-in-law of the kidnapped woman said in Wednesday's edition of the Sächsischen Zeitung newspaper that information had only reached them indirectly, and that their contact with the Foreign Ministry was unsatisfactory.
Health workers Johannes and Sabine H. and their three children, from the Lausitz region of Saxony, have not been seen since they were abducted along with four other foreigners in the country’s Saada province in mid-June.
Three of the hostages – two German women and a South Korean woman – were found murdered by Yemeni authorities three days later.
Yemeni officials launched a massive search for the hostages, but since then there has been no trace of the family – which includes Lydia (5), Anna (3) and Simon (1). Authorities there believe that the kidnappers may be Shiite rebels from the mountainous region near the Saudi border.
Shortly before Christmas, a video apparently showing the children "looking exhausted" appeared, but the relatives have not been shown it. Other videos appeared in the autumn, also showing the children, but there is no trace of the 37-year-old parents.
The family has since made contact with a child psychologist in case the children are suddenly released.
Foreigners are often kidnapped in Yemen by tribesmen to be used as bargaining chips in disputes with the government. More than 200 foreigners have been abducted over the past 15 years.
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