(Sydney) An 88-year-old Australian doctor, Kenneth Elliott, has been freed seven years after he was kidnapped by jihadists in Burkina Faso, the Australian government announced on Friday.
Mr Elliott and his wife were abducted by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in January 2016. His wife Jocelyn was released the following month.
The surgeon returned to Australia on Thursday evening, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters.
“The D.r Elliott is safe and reunited with his wife Jocelyn and their children,” Mr.me Wong.
“I am very happy that his release has been secured and that he is once again safe with his family,” she added.
The abduction of the couple had been claimed by the jihadist group Ansar Dine, linked to Al-Qaeda.
In July 2017, the organization Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) published a video showing six hostages, including Kenneth Elliott.