Ransom demand for priest abducted in Yemen?

March 30, 2016

Government officials in India have reportedly received a ransom note from the Islamic State, demanding millions of dollars for the safe return of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, the Salesian priest who was abducted in Yemen earlier this month.

Since Father Uzhunnalil (who is a native of India) was seized in a brutal attack on a nursing home in Aden, there have been no reliable reports about his condition or his whereabouts. For several days, rumors have circulated that he was crucified by his captors on Good Friday. Both his Salesian superiors and the apostolic vicar of Yemen have sought to squelch those rumors, emphasizing that they believe the priest remains alive.

 

 

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Further information:

• Ransom video demanding millions of dollars for Catholic priest kidnapped in Yemen 'sent to Indian Government' (Independent)
• Kidnapped priest reported still alive in Yemen, despite reports of crucifixion by Islamic State (CWN, 3/28)