Spanish national Gilbert Navarro, who was recently kidnapped in Algeria, has been released by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) on Monday. He is reported to be in good health and is currently under the protection of FLA forces in Azawad territory, awaiting his transfer to Algerian authorities.
Gilbert Navarro was captured in Algeria by unidentified armed men and transported to Azawad territory by his captors. The rebel movement’s officials confirmed that his release was facilitated by the FLA.
“Mr. Navarro was released this afternoon and is safely spending the night under the protection of FLA forces. He is in good health,” stated Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, the spokesman for the organization, on Monday.
Attaye Ag Mahmoud, the FLA’s deputy for external relations, indicated that “the former hostage will be transferred to the Algerian authorities in the coming hours.” According to journalist Wassim Nasr from France 24, the release occurred in a border area between Niger and Algeria, closer to Menaka than Kidal. “The kidnappers abandoned the hostage before he was secured by the FLA between 4 and 6 p.m. Reports suggest that the Islamic State was attempting to negotiate his release for a sum ranging from 100 to 250 million CFA francs,” he explained.
Prior to Navarro’s kidnapping, an Austrian aid worker was also abducted in northern Niger by armed individuals.
AC/fss/abj/APA