Albanian ambassador assists in hostage crisis
The Albanian ambassador to Greece Bashkim Zeneli has said police in Greece asked for his help because they thought the hijackers were Albanian.
“I came here after I was told by Greek police that they are 99% sure the hijackers are Albanians,” he said
Hostage Stella Matara said by mobile phone that the hijackers said they would release the women in return for a driver and set free the remaining passengers once they arrived at the airport.
“They want a driver to take them to the airport. They want to go to Russia,” she said. “They don’t want money or anything else. They have guns and dynamite. I don’t know what kind. They are treating us well.”
The first hostage to be released was identified as Yiannis Bratsakos, 55. The hijackers then released three women and another man in quick succession.
One of the women staggered as she walked away from the bus toward the black-clad police special forces.
