Which qabiil kidnapped two journalist recently released?

[Moguul21]

Sometimes I questioned whether I was alive: Brennan

GLENDA KWEK
Wednesday, December 09, 2009


Recently released Australian hostage Nigel Brennan says he sometimes questioned whether he was alive during his ordeal in Somalia.

Freed hostage Nigel Brennan, who was kidnapped and held for ransom in Somalia for 15 months, has apologised for the stress and worry his escapade caused.

"It’s hard to believe I'm standing here safe on Australian soil ... I just feel so fortunate to come from a country where freedom is taken for granted."

But he said if he could in any way explain why he was in Somalia putting himself in harm's way, it was to highlight the plight of those less fortunate.

"In hindsight, it was maybe a risk I shouldn't have taken and I’m personally distressed at the grief and heartache I have caused. My motivations were honourable."

With Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout, he was taken captive while on a visit to a refugee camp near Somalia's capital Mogadishu on August 23 last year.

Both said they were kept isolated and were tortured until a ransom of $600,000 was reportedly paid for their release. They were freed two weeks ago.

The Brennan family said paying the ransom was the "last roll of the dice" after the Australian Government declined to help with the money.

Today, the Queensland photographer spoke for the first time to the media since his return to Australia on Sunday morning, and thanked his family for their efforts in freeing him.

"Now that I'm back home I need to acknowledge so many people who worked so hard to secure my release," he said.

"Firstly, I need to say sorry to my family, especially mum and dad for the stress and hurt I've caused them over the last 15 months. I’m sure at times their pain and suffering was much worse than my own.

"At least I knew I was alive, although sometimes even I questioned that.

"I want to thank my family for never giving up or giving in to my captors' demands. I’m truly overwhelmed by their love and support and I’m so very fortunate to have the family that I do."

Brennan also thanked fellow captive Lindhout for her friendship throughout the 15-month ordeal.

"Even though for the most part we were completely isolated from each other, just knowing you were through the wall or down the corridor was an unbelievable comfort.

"You helped me get through the ups and downs of each day and I couldn't have done it without you."

Brennan said his health was improving but he was "still trying to come to terms with the enormity of it all" and had "a way to go" in his recovery.

He expressed his gratitude to Australian entrepreneur ceeb Smith and Greens Senator Bob Brown, who were among those who contributed money to the search for the two journalists in the war-torn country.

A public relations spokeswoman said Brennan has not had any discussions or made any deals with the media to tell his story.

Brennan grew up in country NSW and studied photography at Griffith University. He worked at the Bundaberg News-Mail for 12 months before leaving Australia to travel in January 2008. Lindhout has worked in Afghanistan as a freelance photographer and in Iraq for Iran's English-language news channel Press TV.

Somalia descended into anarchy after the collapse of a two-decade long dictatorship in 1991, and famine, civil war and economic chaos prevails.

Pirates hold more than 200 foreign hostages off the coast of Somalia, The Associated Press reports.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald,December 9, 2009

[Moguul21]

Waraa Abdiwahab,

Adigaa xagge xamar higee waa kuwee kuwii afduubtay gabadha canadianka iyo wiilka australianka ah, waxaan maqlayey in lacagta loo dhiibay xildhibaano ka dhashay qabiilka macbuusiinta haysatay, marka magaran qabiilkaaas?