Hopes raised for release of Afghan hostages
A Kosovan woman among three UN workers kidnapped in Afghanistan has called home to say she is well and expects to be freed soon, a businessman seeking her release said today.
The woman was one of three people abducted 12 days ago when armed men halted their marked UN vehicle in downtown Kabul. The three included Annetta Flanigan from Co Armagh.
Earlier a Taliban splinter group threatening to kill the three hostages awaited a response from the Afghan government to their demand for a prisoner exchange, possibly involving Guantanamo inmates.
Afghan and UN officials leading efforts to secure their release have been tight-lipped about any negotiations. But there are signs that a deal is in the offing.
Behgjet Pacolli, a wealthy Kosovan based in Switzerland who says he volunteered to help free the trio, said that Hebibi had made a satellite telephone call to a friend in Kosovo on Monday.
The message was passed to her family, he said.
