Gunmen Release All Hostages After Talks
Gunmen in Tajikistan released their 15 hostages--including an American and two Germans--after talks with the government, a presidential official said.
Former fighters of the Islamic opposition serving in the Emergencies Ministry under a 1997 peace agreement abducted 15 civilians working for the German aid group Agro Action on Friday. They freed four hostages on Saturday but then seized four Security Ministry servicemen.
The gunmen demanded the release of four suspects held in the April 11 killing of Deputy Interior Minister Khabib Sanginov. But the presidential official said the hostages were freed unconditionally and that the kidnappers’ demands would not be met.
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