Published Date:
15 June 2009
By Margaret Neighbour
YEMEN accused a Shiite rebel group of kidnapping nine foreigners, including a Briton, in the country's rugged northern Saada province.
The group denied any involvement and accused the government of trying to tarnish the rebels' image.
The Yemeni Interior Ministry said the foreigners, whom it did not identify, were kidnapped while on a picnic.
The ministry said the group included a German doctor, his wife and their three children, as well as the Briton, his South Korean wife and two other German nationals. The state news agency said they worked in a hospital in Saada.
Tribesmen in Yemen frequently take foreigners hostage to pressure the government on a range of demands, and generally release them unharmed.
Tribesmen freed 24 medics on Friday, less than 24 hours after their kidnapping.
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Last Updated:
14 June 2009 9:21 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
