Priest kidnapped in Yemen is alive, negotiations underway for his release
May 18, 2016
The Indian-born Salesian priest who was kidnapped in Yemen in early March is alive and well, and efforts are underway to secure his release, the AsiaNews service reports.
Father Tom Uzhunnalli was seized by the Islamic militants who killed four Missionaries of Charity in a March 4 raid on a nursing home in Aden. Since that time there has been no public information about his whereabouts. Rumors that he would be tortured and crucified, which spread through the internet in March, were denied by his religious superiors, and Indian government officials reported that they were working for his release. Now informed officials say that negotiations with his captors are advancing.
Msgr. Paul Hinder, the apostolic vicar for the region that includes Yemen, told AsiaNews that there are no new developments in the campaign to secure the priest's release, and cautioned against optimistic expectations that he would be released in the near future.
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Further information:
- Delhi: Fr. Tom "is safe", last efforts for his release. The Vicar of Arabia urges caution (AsiaNews)
- Kidnapped priest is alive in Yemen, Indian bishops assured (CWN, 4/4)
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