Austrian and Swiss hostages freed in Libya after captivity in Niger
An Austrian and a Swiss national abducted in Niger in early 2025 have been freed and brought to Benghazi, Libya, according to media and official sources.
An Austrian woman and a Swiss national kidnapped in northern Niger in early 2025 have been released after over a year in captivity, according to official reports and Libyan media. The two women arrived in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi following their release.
A video broadcast by eastern Libyan television showed the women expressing gratitude to military commander Khalifa Haftar and his son Saddam Haftar for securing their freedom. The hostages had been abducted in separate incidents in the city of Agadez. Details surrounding the identity of the captors or whether any demands were met remain undisclosed. Austrian and Swiss diplomatic representatives are reportedly completing administrative procedures to take custody of both citizens.
Sources: Aftenposten, BBC News, Der Standard, Die Presse, ORF
Sources
- ORF — In Niger entführte Österreicherin bereits in Libyen
- Der Standard — Im Niger entführte Österreicherin nach 21 Monaten offenbar frei
- Aftenposten — Europeiske kvinner fri etter halvannet års fangenskap i Niger
- Die Presse — Im Niger entführte Österreicherin nach 21 Monaten frei
- BBC News — Two European women held captive for more than a year in Niger freed in Libya