Counterterrorism Research Library North Africa AQIM Claims Kidnapping of U.N. Envoy & Four European Tourists
AQIM Claims Kidnapping of U.N. Envoy & Four European Tourists
Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Saturday, 21 February 2009 19:00
The NEFA Foundation has obtained a new communiqué, dated February 18, from Al-Qaida's Committee in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claiming responsibility for the kidnapping of U.N. special envoy for Niger Robert Fowler, his Canadian aide Louis Guay, and four European tourists. According to the statement, Fowler and Guay were kidnapped two months ago, while the European tourists -- identified as Edwen Dyer (England), Marianne Petzold (Germany), Werner Greiner (Switzerland) and Gabriella Burco Greiner (Switzerland) -- were seized on January 22nd. The statement added that "the mujahideen reserve their right in treating the prisoners in accordance with Islamic Shari'a."
