LEIPZIG – Three members of a German family kidnapped in Yemen five years ago have been confirmed dead, a spokesman for the family said on Tuesday.
The spokesman for the family, Pastor Reinhard Poetschke said that the report from the foreign ministry confirmed what many had been suspecting.
“But we are also glad to at least be at a point now where we can enter the phase of mourning and saying goodbye,’’ he said.
Poetschke cited the ministry report as saying Johannes and Sabine Hentschel, both 36 years old, were killed in captivity, while their one-year-old son, Simon likely died from an infection. [eap_ad_2] The kidnapping occurred in 2009 as the Hentschels and their three children were working for a small Christian aid organisation.
Four other adult members of the group were also taken, three of whom were found shot dead a few days later.
The couple’s two daughters, aged 10 and 11, were rescued in May 2010 and returned to Germany.
Meanwhile, the parents and their son were never heard from again.
It has never been made clear if those responsible were Islamist extremists or merely criminals.
According to Poestchke, the foreign ministry informed the relatives of the couple of their death at the end of August. (dpa/NAN) [eap_ad_3]
