Three Russian aircrew released in Darfur: state media

Three Russian air crew members kidnapped in Darfur two days ago have been released, Sudanese state media said on Tuesday.

The three who were working for the Sudanese Badr Airlines, but subcontracted to the U.N.-African Union (UNAMID) peacekeeping mission, were taken on their way back from the market inside the region’s largest town Nyala on Sunday.

“South Darfur’s governor announces the release of the abducted Russian pilots,” the Sudanese Media Centre said.

Badr Airlines Deputy Executive Manager Mutaz Shora told Reuters: “I have been told that they are on their way back to Nyala but cannot confirm their release because I’ve not yet actually spoken to any of the hostages”.

American Flavia Wagner, working for the U.S. charity Samaritan’s Purse, was released on Monday after 105 days in captivity.

Kidnapping mostly by young men from Arab tribes demanding ransom began last year after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity, charges he denies.

More than 20 foreign aid workers and UNAMID peacekeepers have been abducted since last year and all have been released.

Khartoum has failed to arrest any of the kidnappers and reports of ransoms being paid have fuelled abductions. Khartoum denies paying any ransom money.

Reuters.