Kidnapped American Journalist Freed After Two Years

American journalist Peter Theo Curtis was freed from two years of captivity Sunday, after being abducted from Antakya, Turkey, where he intended to enter Syria in October 2012. 

In a video obtained by Al Jazeera, Curtis said he "had everything" he needed and "everything has been perfect, food, clothing, even friends now."

It remains unclear which group was responsible for Curtis' abduction, but he was released to United Nations personnel after Qatar mediated negotiations for his release.  

ISIL, which was behind the beheading of American journalist James Foley this week, has not immediately claimed a role in the abduction or the release of Curtis.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 67 journalists have been killed in Syria since the start of the uprising and approximately another 20 remain unaccounted for. 

UPDATE, 2:36 p.m.: CNN reports Secretary of State John Kerry said that Curtis was being held in Syria by Jabhat al-Nusrah and not ISIL.

UPDATE, 3:03 p.m.: The United Nations confirmed their role in the handover of Curtis.  

The United Nations can confirm that it facilitated the handover of Peter Theo Curtis. He was handed over to UN peacekeepers in Al Rafid village, Quneitra, the Golan Heights, at 6:40 p.m. (local time) on 24 August 2014. After receiving a medical check-up, Mr. Curtis was handed over to representatives of his government.

 

This article was originally published at http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/08/american-journalist-kidnapped-freed-after-two-years/379039/

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