Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Two Bangladesh nationals who were taken hostage by unknown militants 18 days ago were freed Tuesday evening.
“Two Bangladesh nationals Helal Uddin and Mohammad Anwar Hossain who were the employees of VAOS and abducted earlier in Libya have been released at the evening on 24 March 2015,” said a press statement of Bangladesh Foreign Affairs quoting Bangladesh Ambassador to Libya.
Helal hails from Madarganj upazila in Jamalpur while Anwar from Goyeshpur village in Noakhali.
On March 6, two Bangladeshi nationals along with seven other foreign nationals were taken hostage from Al-Ghani oil field south of the city Sirte of Libya.
Later, on March 9, the Bangladesh foreign ministry in a press statement said that ISIS had abducted them.
But State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam later said no militant group in Libya claimed responsibility for the abduction.
“They are now staying overnight at Sirte hospital, about 700 kilometers from Tripoli,” the press statement added.
The physical conditions of both the Bangladesh nationals are reportedly normal.
They are expected to be brought to the concerned company’s Tripoli office tomorrow.
These two Bangladeshis could be released for the prompt initiatives and constant efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the statement added.
BBN/AS/AI-25Mar15-10:00am (BST)