Family make plea to Afghan kidnappers
The family of a UN worker held hostage in Afghanistan today pleaded for their daughter’s release as her captors debated whether to carry out a threat of execution.
Annetta Flanigan, from Co Armagh, Northern Ireland, has been held for three weeks and an Islamic militant group has repeatedly claimed it is prepared to kill the election observer and two colleagues.
Talks aimed at brokering the release of the hostage’s are thought to have floundered on a ransom demand, prompting the appeal for mercy.
“Everybody is praying for you and hoping that you will be home soon,” said the Flanigan family.
In a statement, issued with a friend of Kosovan UN worker Shqipe Hebibi and the sister of Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayanshe, they said they feared people might do “desperate things” after 25 years of war and strife.
The three were captured at gunpoint in Kabul on October 28 after helping organise the country’s landmark presidential election.
“We dearly hope that the people holding Angelito, Annetta and Shqipe will demonstrate that honour at this holy time and place them somewhere safe where they can be found and restored to us,” the statement added, referring to the Muslim festival of Eid.
“At this sacred time and of giving gifts, the only gift we desire is their safe return.”
The appeal marked the first occasion the Flanigan family have commented on their daughter’s ordeal since she was kidnapped.
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