Former NI Afghan hostage expresses delight at being freed

Former Afghan hostage Annetta Flanigan has spoken today for the first time since her release on Tuesday.

The Northern Ireland-born UN worker read out a statement from her, Angelito Nayan and Shqipe Habibi, giving thanks for all the support they received.

"It is a wonderful feeling that we have been sharing with our families, friends and colleagues in Kabul," the Richhill woman said.

"Since we were released we have learned of the many statements of support and expressions of solidarity by Afghan personalities and ordinary men and women, some of whom even offered to take our place as hostages. We are humbled and very, very grateful for this."

"Finally, we have a word to our families, friends and colleagues. The hope of getting back together with them kept us going. We thank them for their love, their prayers and their friendship," she said.

The exact circumstance of Ms Flanigan’s release and that of her two colleagues, Kosovan Shqipe Habibi and Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan, is unclear but a spokesperson for the Afghan government have denied any deal was done with the kidnappers.

The three UN workers were kidnapped on 28 October when a group of armed men, believed to have been the Army of Muslims, stopped their vehicle, pulled them out and then drove them away at high speed.

A video was later released from the group showing the hostages slumped against a wall demanding the release of 26 prisoners in return for their lives.

(MB/GMCG)