Two Indonesian Citizens Taken Hostage by Abu Sayyaf Arrive in Indonesia, Five Still Detained

Lalu Muhammad Iqbal. Photo: Indonesian Foreign Ministry

Jakarta, (MINA) -Two Indonesians held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines today arrived in Indonesia at 9:20 am.

This was conveyed by Director of Protection WNI Ministry of Foreign Affairs Then Muhammad Iqbal in a press conference with reporters in Jakarta, Thursday (14/9).

“Both Indonesian citizens who were held hostage by Abu Sayyaf have been released, by the Government of Indonesia and has been handed over to their families officially by the Minister of Foreign Affairs witnessed by Majene Deputy Regent and also by local senators,” he said.

Late Thursday, they plan to return home to their families in Majene, West Sulawesi.

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The two Indonesians, Saparudin bin Koni and Shawwal bin Mariam, were released from the Abu Sayyaf group on Thursday last week. They are victims of the abduction of the Abu Sayyaf group on 9 November 2016 in the waters of Sabah, Malaysia.

Iqbal added that until now there are still five other prisoners held hostage by Abu Sayyaf. The government continues to cooperate with Philippine troops to attempt to free the rest of the detainees. (L/RE04/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)