In Papua New Guinea, a New Zealand archaeologist and two other people have been released following being held hostage for a week. Prime Minister James Marape announced today that the three abductees had been “successfully returned”. A week ago they were abducted by an armed group in an impassable mountain region.
Police said they had previously negotiated with the kidnappers, who initially demanded a $1 million ransom within 24 hours, but later softened their demands. According to Marape, the original ransom demand was not met. The hostages were freed following “covert operations,” he said, without giving details.
Those released are a New Zealander who is a professor at an Australian university and his two local companions from Papua New Guinea.
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According to Prime Minister Marape, it was the first time in his country that such a ransom had been extorted. Marape had previously said his government was taking the case “very, very seriously”.
In Papua New Guinea, several mountain regions enclose vast areas of jungle over which the country’s central government and army have little control. In recent years, tribal conflicts and the arms trade have increased in the country.