After more than a week in the violence of their captors, a professor from Australia kidnapped in Papua New Guinea and two local research colleagues have been released. This is reported by the Australian television channel ABC on Tuesday.
The scientists had been doing field research in the remote highlands around Mount Bosavi when they were abducted by an armed group along with several guides. The professor was a New Zealander living in Australia.
It was initially unclear whether the kidnappers’ ransom demands were met – as were the exact circumstances of the liberation in the island nation. A colleague kidnapped with the scientists and the guides had already been released.
It is unclear whether the ransom demand has been met
The kidnappers are from Komo in Hela province. The security authorities had deployed special units to free the hostages. It was initially unclear whether this was a violent liberation action or a negotiated solution.
Almost three weeks ago, rebels in the neighboring province of Papua, part of Indonesia, took a New Zealand pilot hostage. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed branch of the local separatist movement, is calling for negotiations for the region’s independence.
Source: Krone
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