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Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org) Gwen Li Gouil, the French journalist kidnapped by militias last week in Puntland, Somalia, said that he is fine and well fed.
Mr. Gwen who spoke out on Sunday for the first time after he was abducted at Marrero, 34km away from the capital of the semi-autonomous regional state of Puntland said that he hopes that his captors might release him soon.
“Everyday my captors tell me that they will release me next day “said Gwen in a sound clips aired from the HornAfrik radio in Mogadishu after he spoke to a correspondent of the radio station in Boosaaso by telephone line.
He did not spoke about the behaviour of the kidnapper and how they were treating him but repeatedly said “Nobody has to worry about me and he might be released soon”.
Li Gouil, a reporter and a cameraman was planning to shoot a documentary on the mass smuggling of refugees from Somalia and other war-torn Horn of African countries across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen before he was kidnapped.
The Militias apparently demanded $80,000 as ransom, authorities and media watchdog said.
French embassy delegation had discussions with Puntland authorities in the last few days in Boosaaso and a committee was set up to negotiate with the abductors for the release of Le Gouil.
Also, Puntland authorities appointed a special negotiator to negotiate with the kidnappers for the release of the journalist.
Le Guile asked international Media watchdog organizations earlier last week to do something for his release.
Somali has been hostile environment to foreign journalists and aid workers, some of whom have been killed or kidnapped because of violence and lawlessness.
Press Emblem Campaign, a Swiss media defence group said in a report released on Monday that eight journalists were killed in Somalia this year alone, making it the second most dangerous country for journalists after Iraq.
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