Freed Finns Arrive in Helsinki After 5-Month Ordeal

Published: 13 September 2000 y., Wednesday
Finns Risto Vahanen and Seppo Franti arrived in Helsinki late on Tuesday from Libya, almost five months after they were kidnapped by Muslim rebels while holidaying at a resort in Malaysia. Vahanen kissed the ground as he had promised to do after stepping off the government-leased plane at Helsinki international airport at around 9:30 p.m. The two were accompanied by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja and other officials. The Finns, laughing and looking relieved to be home, were greeted with flowers by relatives at the airport tarmac. Vahanen and Franti were released in the Philippines on Saturday with two other Europeans and arrived in Libya on Monday. They were among 21 people kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas from a resort on the east Malaysian island of Sipadan on April 23 and taken to the southern Philippines island of Jolo. The rebels handed over the Finns to government emissaries on Saturday along with German Marc Wallert and Frenchman Stephane Loisy. The four arrived in Tripoli on Monday.
Šaltinis: dailynews.yahoo.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Bulgaria festival picks on recession

Bulgaria's annual Festival of Humour took place today, poking fun at the global recession. more »

Eat green, save planet

The Belgian city of Ghent is going green by urging its residents to eat more greens. Ethical Vegetarian Alternative campaigners want them to go veggie every Thursday They say that if the whole city did that for a year it could save the equivalent carbon emissions of 20,000 cars. more »

The rise of baking

Baking is something David Muniz and David Lesniak know a thing or two about. Originally from the States, the pair moved to Britain two years ago and have been supplying London with their American-style cakes ever since. more »

Torture tools to be auctioned

A collection of 16th and 17th century torture devices is up for auction in New York. Judging by some of the items for sale, we've come a long way. more »

Fair chances for both men and women

Despite vigorous efforts, men and women do not always get the same start or benefit from the same opportunities. more »

Mums and dads at home with newborns: how long should they have off?

Across Europe the amount of time new mums can have off after the birth of their child varies from 14 weeks to 2 years. more »

Japan car workers lose jobs, homes

As the world No.1 carmaker announced billions in losses, an increasing number of auto industry workers near its Toyota City are hungry and sleeping in tents after losing their jobs and homes. more »

Miss California USA keeps her crown

With a media turnout worthy of a superpower summit in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - decided the fate of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean. more »

Choice boxes - a conversation across Europe

A conversation is taking place across Europe as people use choice boxes to record their questions and comments on what the European Union should be doing ahead of the European elections from 4-7 June. more »

Getting out the vote

MTV teams up with EU on campaign to encourage young people to vote. more »