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Jakarta Post

Hostage escapees return home; request privacy

Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Mon, August 29, 2016

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Hostage escapees return home; request privacy Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir. (kompas.com/Abba Gabrillin)

T

wo Indonesian hostages who managed to escape from the clutches of the Abu Sayyaf militant group have now returned home to their respective families, an official has confirmed.

The two crewmen who were aboard tugboat Charles, Muhammad Sofyan and Ismail, arrived in Jakarta on Friday evening, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir confirmed on Monday.

The men were officially handed over to their families by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi on Saturday on behalf of the government, Arrmanatha went on.

"Both men are in good health," he said.

Sofyan and Ismail, along with their families, have requested for privacy at this time, in respect for the remaining men who are still held captive, as well as for their respective families who are still anticipating their return, Arrmanatha continued.

The two sailors, who managed to flee from their captors together, had asked for the hand over to not be publicized, as it had been done in previous cases.

Sofyan and Ismail were among two crew members aboard tugboat Charles, a vessel that was hijacked in southern Philippine waters on June 23. The sailors had gone through medical checkups and questioning by local authorities in the Philippines prior to their repatriation.

Nine Indonesians still remain held by the Abu Sayyaf group. (bbn)

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