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Dutch aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan freed after 81 days Dutch aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan freed after 81 days
(34 minutes later)
A Dutch aid worker who was abducted by unknown gunmen in Afghanistan in June has been freed after being held for 81 days, according to the Dutch foreign ministry . A Dutch aid worker who was abducted by unknown gunmen in Afghanistan in June has been freed after being held for 81 days, according to the Dutch foreign ministry.
Anja de Beer was recovering in the Dutch embassy in Kabul and was “doing pretty well considering the circumstances,” the ministry said in a statement late on Thursday. Anja de Beer was recovering in the Dutch embassy in Kabul and was “doing pretty well, considering the circumstances”, the ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.
An experienced aid worker who spent more than 15 years working for UN agencies, de Beer had been posted in Kabul for several years and was working for the Swiss non-governmental organisation Helvetas when she was snatched from the street in broad daylight. An experienced aid worker who spent more than 15 years working for UN agencies, De Beer had been posted in Kabul for several years and was working for the Swiss development organisation Helvetas when she was snatched from the street during the day.
The Dutch foreign ministry said she had managed to speak with her family already as well as with Dutch foreign minister, Bert Koenders, who said he was “relieved” to hear about her release. The Dutch foreign ministry said she had managed to speak with her family already as well as with the Dutch foreign minister, Bert Koenders, who said he was relieved to hear of her release.
“I’m happy that 81 days of uncertainty have come to an end,” he said in the ministry’s statement. “I’m happy that 81 days of uncertainty have come to an end,” he said.
De Beer was abducted at gunpoint by four armed men on 22 June in the Afghan capital. De Beer was abducted at gunpoint by four men on 22 June in the Afghan capital.
She had previously worked with the Red Cross from 2000 to 2001 on projects to help widows and orphans in Afghanistan, the Dutch press agency ANP said.She had previously worked with the Red Cross from 2000 to 2001 on projects to help widows and orphans in Afghanistan, the Dutch press agency ANP said.