13:16, 12 April 2004

Head of MSF mission in Dagestan released

Arjan Erkel, a Dutch national and head of the Dagestani mission of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), was released as a result of a joint operation conducted by the Russian Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service on April 11. He had been kidnapped in the vicinity of Makhachkala on August 12, 2002. Since that time, he had been held for 20 months by unknown people in an unknown place. The security agencies have not disclosed details of the operation so far in the interests of investigation. No facts concerning the involvement of Russian and Dagestani special services in the abduction alleged by MSF representatives have been given either.

It is known that no ransom was paid for Arjan Erkel.

Non-governmental organizations in Dagestan arranged many actions to second the demand to release Arjan. It may be that they contributed to his release. Now Arjan Erkel is in Moscow.

Editors note: See also the article "International aid agency accuses Russian authorities of being involved in kidnapping of its employee".

Author: Abdurakhman Yunusov, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot