BBC News Online: World

Britons abducted in Chechnya reported safe

Head investigator at Chechnya's anti-terrorist centre, Magomed Magomadov, said the kidnappers had not made any ransom demands but said they could have had private contact with the captives' relatives or colleagues.

Itar-Tass news agency reported that the doctors were safe, but the search for them is complicated because they are being moved from one hiding place to another to avoid detection.

Mr James's family expressed cautious relief. His mother Doris, said: "I haven't been told anything officially, but I certainly hope it is true. This news will give us fresh hope for Christmas."

A representative of the Foreign Office told Itar-Tass that they did not have information to confirm the report but are seeking clarification from the British Embassy in Moscow.

Six masked attackers abducted the couple from their home in the Chechen capital Grozny on July 6.

The two, both from Ross-on-Wye in western England, had been working for the Center for Peacemaking and Community Development, a charity with Quaker links.

The charity runs a home in Grozny for child victims of Chechnya's bitter battle for independence from Moscow, which ended in an uneasy peace deal and Russian withdrawal last year.

A wave of kidnappings, most of them motivated by ransom, have troubled Chechnya since the end of the war. Five foreigners are currently being held hostage in Chechnya: two Britons, two Hungarians and one Turk.

Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov is scheduled to visit Britain early next year. He has vowed to put an end to kidnappings and is setting up special police squads, threatening the perpetrators with death.

Kidnappers were paid some $20 million in ransom money this year in exchange for their hostages, which included journalists and foreigners.

Relevant Stories

Chechen situation remains unresolved (11 Dec 97 | Despatches)
Beirut captives back Chechnya hostage appeal (09 Dec 97 | UK)
Chechen official: $3.5m paid for French hostages' release (24 Nov 97 | World)

Internet Links

Itar-Tass Home Page
Government of the Chechen Republic

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Summaries

In this section

Thousands march in Basque violence protest
EU agrees major expansion
Iraq says solution no closer
Army back-up after march violence
'The Lord was my co-pilot'
Korean candidates vow to honour IMF deal (From Business
)
Milestone world trade agreement (From Business
)
The Rape of Nanking - 60 years on
US envoy to investigate massacre
Last rites at mass cremation in Thailand
Yeltsin getting better (From Despatches
)
TWA hearing recommends fuel switch
Lockerbie relatives fight Libya in court
Louise Woodward refused permission to travel
Judge rules against Microsoft browser plans (From Sci/Tech
)
South Korean bank aims to plug leaking economy (From Business
)

World Contents

• Middle East
• Africa
• Europe
• Americas
• From Our Own Correspondent
• Letter From America
• Analysis
• Monitoring
• Asia-Pacific
• S/W Asia