Indian priest kidnapped by gunmen in Yemen 'could be freed soon'

April 03, 2016 14:47

An Indian priest abducted by gunmen in Yemen last month is safe and could be released soon, a Catholic group said today, quoting Sushma Swaraj, the external affairs minister.

Father Tom Uzhunnalil was captured from the southern Yemeni city of Aden by gunmen who killed at least 15 people at an old peoples home in an attack that was condemned by Pope Francis.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India said a delegation had met Swaraj who said the government was working to secure the priests safe return.

She has assured us Father Tom is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon, said Father Joseph Chinnaiyan, deputy secretary of the CBCI.

Media reports last week said the priest was killed by Islamic State militants on Good Friday, although no one has claimed responsibility for last months attack in which gunmen killed four Indian nuns, two Yemeni female staff members, eight elderly residents and a guard.

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