Al Arabiya reporter walks free after seventeen months in captivity

Bakr Atyani has identified the leader of an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group that held him for a year and a half in the jungles of the southern Philippines.

By Staff Reporter

Published: Thu 5 Dec 2013, 9:28 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 3:18 PM

Muslim rebels in the Philippines have freed a reporter of the Al Arabiya news channel. The Jordanian reporter Bakr Atyani, who was ill during his captivity, was admitted to a local hospital in the Philippines, an official source at the the TV channel said.

Bakr Atyani names Filipino extremist kidnapper

Bakr Atyani has identified the leader of an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group that held him for a year and a half in the jungles of the southern Philippines after luring him with a promise of an interview.

Baker Atyani said Abu Sayyaf commander Jul Asman Sawadjaan plotted his kidnapping in June last year with the help of his fighters and civilians in Sulu province. The Abu Sayyaf has carved a brutal image for beheadings, bombings and ransom kidnappings.

Sulu military commander Col. Jose Cenabre said that Atyani either was freed or escaped from his Abu Sayyaf captors on Wednesday.

Cenabre said on Thursday that Atyani told him he did not see several other Abu Sayyaf hostages during his captivity, including two Europeans who were seized last year. AP

Atyani was hospitalised before completing the formalities for his departure and return home to his family.

The reporter was kidnapped on June 12, 2012 by Abu Sayyaf rebels when Atyani and two Filipino crew members went missing in Jolo. The region is a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group.

In February, the rebels released the two crew members. They said that Atyani was separated from them on the fifth day after their abduction.

Atyani was freed following local, regional and international efforts. His release came after earnest appeals made by Cairo-based Al Azhar University, the Muslim world’s seat of learning, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories.

The journalist’s release was also pursued by Palestine Scholars authority, Mindanao Muslim Scholars authority in the Philippines, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (ICO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as well as many Arab and Islamic diplomatic organisations.

Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, chairman of directors of MBC Group congratulated Atyani and his family members for his safe release.