MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Canadian and an Australian journalist were freed Wednesday after more than a year in captivity, officials said.
Police spokesman Col. Abdullahi Hassan Barise said Canadian Amanda Lindhout and Australian Nigel Brennan are at a Mogadishu hotel with lawmaker Botan Isse Alin. Barise and Alin declined to say if ransom was paid for their release.
“We are happy. Our health is OK. We could not believe that we are free,” Lindhout told The Associated Press on the phone. “Tonight is a big day for us. We sent our family and friends a message that we are free and will be with them soon after a long time in captivity.”
“We are happy the two are released,” said Alin.
Another officer and a lawmaker said a $700,000 ransom was paid. It was not possible to verify their claim.
The journalists were kidnapped in August 2008 while traveling near the capital.
