This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/06/militants-to-release-western-australia-woman-kidnapped-in-burkina-faso

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Militants to release Western Australia woman kidnapped in Burkina Faso Militants to release Western Australia woman kidnapped in Burkina Faso
(7 months later)
The federal government is in close contact with the family of an Australian couple kidnapped in Burkina Faso, after a militant group flagged it would release the woman.The federal government is in close contact with the family of an Australian couple kidnapped in Burkina Faso, after a militant group flagged it would release the woman.
Dr Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn were abducted following an attack in the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadougou by suspected Islamic extremists on 15 January that killed 28 people.Dr Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn were abducted following an attack in the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadougou by suspected Islamic extremists on 15 January that killed 28 people.
Related: Burkina Faso kidnapping: children plead for Australian parents’ safe release
A militant group that claimed responsibility for the kidnapping said, in a statement released on the Telegram channel of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, it will release Jocelyn Elliott unconditionally.A militant group that claimed responsibility for the kidnapping said, in a statement released on the Telegram channel of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, it will release Jocelyn Elliott unconditionally.
“The primary motive behind their kidnapping was an attempt to [gain] release of our captives who sit behind bars and suffer the pain of imprisonment, as well as being deprived of their basic rights,” the statement said.“The primary motive behind their kidnapping was an attempt to [gain] release of our captives who sit behind bars and suffer the pain of imprisonment, as well as being deprived of their basic rights,” the statement said.
The group said it was releasing the woman under public pressure and in accordance with what it said was guidance from Al-Qaida leaders not to involve women in war.The group said it was releasing the woman under public pressure and in accordance with what it said was guidance from Al-Qaida leaders not to involve women in war.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the government was aware of the recording.A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the government was aware of the recording.
“We are in close contact with the family in what is a very difficult time, the safety and welfare of Dr and Mrs Elliott are our overriding concern,” she said.“We are in close contact with the family in what is a very difficult time, the safety and welfare of Dr and Mrs Elliott are our overriding concern,” she said.
“The family has requested privacy and the government will not be providing further comment at this time.”“The family has requested privacy and the government will not be providing further comment at this time.”
The West Australian couple, aged in their 80s, moved to Burkina Faso in 1972 to set up a medical clinic in the town of Djibo in the country’s north.The West Australian couple, aged in their 80s, moved to Burkina Faso in 1972 to set up a medical clinic in the town of Djibo in the country’s north.
Dr Elliott performed 150 surgical operations a month in the Djibo hospital he designed and built, according to a 2013 Global Business Services newsletter.Dr Elliott performed 150 surgical operations a month in the Djibo hospital he designed and built, according to a 2013 Global Business Services newsletter.
He is the sole surgeon at the clinic and has spoken in the past about the significant need for modern medicine in West Africa.He is the sole surgeon at the clinic and has spoken in the past about the significant need for modern medicine in West Africa.
In a Facebook post written just hours before the video was released, the Elliott family thanked the public for their support through their ordeal.In a Facebook post written just hours before the video was released, the Elliott family thanked the public for their support through their ordeal.
“To those who are holding our parents, we bear no malice against you,” the family said.“To those who are holding our parents, we bear no malice against you,” the family said.
“Our parents are good people who always seek to help those in need.”“Our parents are good people who always seek to help those in need.”
The community would be grateful if they were returned to continue their life’s work of helping the poor and the sick, the family said.The community would be grateful if they were returned to continue their life’s work of helping the poor and the sick, the family said.
A spokesman said the family was very pleased but did not know when Jocelyn Elliott would be released.A spokesman said the family was very pleased but did not know when Jocelyn Elliott would be released.
“We regard that as an answer to people’s prayers all over the world,” he told PerthNow.“We regard that as an answer to people’s prayers all over the world,” he told PerthNow.
“We want to thank everyone for their prayers and ask that they keep on praying. Please continue to do exactly that.”“We want to thank everyone for their prayers and ask that they keep on praying. Please continue to do exactly that.”
He said the family had no information about Elliott’s condition or whether she would return to Australia if she were released.He said the family had no information about Elliott’s condition or whether she would return to Australia if she were released.