Mali : the Swiss hostage in the hands of Al-Qaida is “very sick”

Ennahar Online - 03/07/09
Mali
samedi 4 juillet 2009
BAMAKO- The Swiss hostage abducted on January 22 and detained by Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (Aqmi), Werner Greiner is “very sick”

The Swiss hostage abducted on January 22 and detained by Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (Aqmi), Werner Greiner is “very sick” and refuses to feed himself, said Friday an elected official in northern Mali in the negotiations for his release.

“He doesn’t eat at all. He is very ill. We are concerned,” he said under cover of anonymity.

“The situation is very worrying. They (the Aqmi fighters) had set the ultimatum to 26 June. They did not kill the hostage, he is still alive. But his condition is very critical. He does not eat,” confirmed on his side another negotiator.

Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb had announced on 3 June killing a British tourist, Edwin Dyer, held hostage since January, an assassination condemned by the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a terrorist “barbaric” act.

Both tourists were abducted at the same time in neighbouring Niger.

Switzerland had been “shocked” by the news of the assassination of the British. This “barbaric act” will not prevent the “intense efforts” in Berne to secure the release of the Swiss hostages still in the hands of the abductors, added the Foreign Ministry.

Ennaharonline/ M. O.