Kidnapped priest Fr Thomas Uzhunnalil is free

Sep 12th, 2017

Source: ONA, Salesians

Salesian Indian missionary Fr Thomas Uzhunnalil, seized more than 18 months ago in Yemen by a group of guerrillas, has been released.

According to the Indian media who announced the news, the Salesian religious is now in Muscat, Oman. Official confirmation came from a tweet by Sushma Swaraj, the Honourable Indian Foreign Minister.

The priest's release was achieved through the intervention of the Oman government. Oman's state news agency ONA said Fr Thomas was well.

Fr Uzhunnalil was kidnapped by a group of armed men on March 4, 2016, during an attack on the home of the Missionaries of Charity in Aden, Yemen, where 16 people died, including four religious sisters.

Read earlier ICN reports here:

9 May 2017 Priest kidnapped in Yemen speaks on new videowww.indcatholicnews.com/news/32503

27 December 2016 Priest kidnapped in Yemen appeals for help in new video www.indcatholicnews.com/news/31627

18 March 2016 Yemen: Church prays for priest missing after nursing home massacre www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=29672

29 March 2016 - Rome: Official statement from Salesians on Fr Tom Uzhunnalil www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=29754

May 3, 2016 Yemen: Negotiations continue for release of kidnapped priest www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=29994

20 July 2016 Yemen: Possible image of kidnapped priest posted online www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=30549

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