Father Tom Uzhunnalil was captured by armed militants on March 4.
AB Wire
Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Kerala priest abducted in Yemen, is safe and could be released soon, a Catholic group said on Wednesday, quoting Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Father Tom Uzhunnalil was captured when armed militants attacked an old people’s home set up by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Southern Yemen city of Aden, and killed 16 people including four nuns out of which one was Indian, on March 4.
Last Week, Media reports said that the priest was killed by Islamic State terrorists on Good Friday, although no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
“It is now clear that the priest is no in the custody of the Islamic State terror group out with anti-government forces in Yemen. Last minute efforts are underway and his release is imminent.” A government official told a news agency.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India(CBCI) said a delegation met Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj who said the government was working to secure Father Tom’s safe return.
“She has assured us, Father Tom, is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon”, deputy secretary of the CBCI said.
The Vatican, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the local Indian community in Yemen are all working hard to secure the priests safe release.