Citizen of the Netherlands, Arjan Erkel, kidnapped by unidentified persons on August 12, 2002 in Dagestan, was released on the Saturday to Sunday night in the course of an operation by security structures of that Caspian autonomy of Russia, which borders on the Chechen Republic in the west.
The Netherlands side says nothing of the circumstances of the liberation and the current whereabouts of Erkel.
Erkel led a Swiss mission of the organisation Medecines sans Frontieres, which helped refugees from Chechnya.
According to a spokesman from the Netherlands Foreign Ministry, that country's Foreign Minister Ben Bot learned with relief and joy about the release of the Dutch subject. The spokesman also said that Bot was grateful to the Russian government, the governments of other countries, and international organisations for assistance rendered in the liberation of Erkel.
The news of Erkel's release was received with delight by members of his family. They intend on Sunday to fly to Moscow, where, according to available information, Erkel will be brought soon.
According to a Moscow spokesman for the organisation Medecines sans Frontieres Marc Walsh, Erkel has already spoken by telephone with one of its members. Erkel's state of health "looks to be relatively satisfactory," Walsh noted.
The Swiss division of the organisation was extremely glad to learn the news of their colleague's freedom from captivity.
"We were just happy when on Easter night we were informed of the release," Thomas Linde, Secretary-General of the Swiss division of the organisation Medecines sans Frontieres, said in Geneva. "He was held too long in captivity, and we were pleased to know that his condition is normal." "Staying with Erkel are representatives of our organisation, who are coordinating moves with the Dutch government and the Erkel family, so as soon as possible to take him to Holland," said Linde.
According to him, they are expecting Erkel's arrival in Holland by Sunday evening.
