Released Estonians Tell Judge of Abductors Affiliation, Ideology
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Seven kidnapped Estonians were freed in Lebanon on Thursday, almost four months since armed men abducted them as they entered the country on a bicycle tour from neighboring Syria.
Later on Thursday, Military Investigative Judge Fadi Sawwan heard the testimonies of the seven men in his office at the Military Court in Beirut.
During the hearing session, which lasted around six hours, the seven revealed to Sawwan the identities, affiliation, beliefs and ideology of the kidnappers, state-run National News Agency reported. However, the identity of the kidnappers will not be made public due to the confidentiality of the investigations, NNA added.
The agency noted that the seven men were not threatened by their abductors ahead of their release and that they were not aware whether or not their country had paid a ransom in order to free them. “But they did not personally pay any ransom” to the kidnappers, NNA noted.
The seven, all in their 30s and 40s, appeared on the balcony of the French embassy in the capital Beirut, where they smiled and waved at journalists gathered outside before joining hands and taking a bow.
Estonia's government said the group were being cared for at the French Embassy in Beirut.
The cyclists, who were abducted from eastern Lebanon on March 23, would undergo a medical examination at the embassy before being joined by Estonia's Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, a police official said.
The Estonian minister is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon Thursday night, said Voice of Lebanon radio.
He telephoned Prime Minister Najib Miqati to discuss the release of the cyclists and he is scheduled to meet with the premier at the Grand Serail upon his arrival in Lebanon.
Paet said no force was used to free the hostages and that several countries and their respective intelligence services were involved in the operation.
When asked whether the Estonian government paid a ransom, Paet referred only to the "costs" involved.
"There are always costs involved with such a joint (release) operation," Paet told a news conference in Tallinn, Estonia.
He did not elaborate except to say that "the cost was not minor."
The minister and the cyclists were scheduled to travel Estonia on Thursday night, the police official said, declining to give further details on how they came to be released.
Lebanon's Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, meanwhile, said he could not confirm reports a ransom was paid to secure their freedom.
"To my knowledge they (the abductors) did not make any demands for a ransom for their release," Charbel told Lebanese television.
He also revealed that nine people, including Lebanese, were arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, for his part, said he was pleased with the "happy ending" but underlined that the case was far from over.
"The case is not closed to Lebanon's judiciary, which will continue its investigation until all details are uncovered and those responsible for the abduction identified," Qortbawi said in a statement.
Estonia, a tiny Baltic nation of 1.3 million, has no embassy in Lebanon and France has played a prominent role in the case.
France's ambassador to Lebanon, Denis Pietton, said he was happy his country had been able to aid Lebanon and Estonia in reaching Thursday's "happy ending".
"France had been solicited for ... logistic and diplomatic aid in the case as Estonia does not have an embassy in Lebanon," Pietton told reporters outside the Lebanese foreign ministry.
The abductors -- believed to be a previously unknown group called Haraket al-Nahda Wal-Islah (Movement for Renewal and Reform) -- had reportedly demanded ransom in exchange for the release of the Estonians.
The seven Estonians are Kalev Kaosaar, August Tillo, Madis Paluoja, Priit Raistik, Jaan Jagomagi, Andre Pukk, and Martin Metspalu.
Their plight drew widespread support in their homeland, where leaders had taken to wearing yellow ribbons to symbolize hope that they would be released.
The cyclists had been shown appealing for help in videos posted on the Internet in April and May. A third video was emailed to several of their relatives in June.
In the first video, the seven called on the leaders of Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and France -- but not Estonia -- to help them.
They did not present any demands on behalf of their captors nor did they specify what country they were in.
Since the kidnapping in the eastern Bekaa Valley, the case had been shrouded in mystery, but several people were arrested in Lebanon in connection with the kidnapping.
Sources following the case said investigators at the time determined the video was uploaded in the Syrian capital Damascus, leading to speculation the men were moved across the border from Lebanon.
14 July 2011, 10:27
133
This is the first positive achievement of the new government ! Bravo .
14 July 2011, 10:53
51
If they uploaded the video, they could have been in Damacuss... who ever uploads a video is where it's being uploaded and the video could b a tape or uploaded from Dahye to Damascus and then from Damascus to the moon.
I say it's funny how journalists are stupid enough to relay such speculations, it's like saying a Tape was released in France for hostages in Pakistan and then say that hostages could be in Paris as if info, image and tape don't travel without their content... speculations lead to probable Syrian abductors because it was uploaded from Damascus!!!
14 July 2011, 10:54
41
So they were kidnapped on the boarder of Lebanon and Syria ....the kidnappers are the LF forces of course and definitely not Hezbollah!!!!! And this article did mention very little about the kidnappers or the abductors (nice cover up) because they are protected citizens.....
14 July 2011, 11:08
21
Q: What kind of exorcise did they get during captivity?
A: Stationary bikes
14 July 2011, 11:20
04
It's funny how stupid brownnoses fell compelled to profess Syrian innocence every step of the way. No wonder the Syrian regime found so many so called Lebanese to demonstrate on M8 2005 to say thank your Masters Assad for your wonderful long years of occupation and all the killings.
14 July 2011, 11:41
16
who kidnapped them? who released them? how much was paid? no answers to these questions? Banananananana republic.
14 July 2011, 11:45
05
wow, that's very good news!
It's a disgrace to have all those militias and gangs operating with impunity in Lebanon.
It's time to have one government, one security system, and one army.
All other organizations should yield to the power of law represented by the government which is (indirectly) elected by the Lebanese people, and is accountable to the Lebanese people. Any other organization should be under the Lebanese law.
14 July 2011, 12:17
21
Its a game guys, can't you see it..... investegations will prove it.... they kidnapped them selves... and asked for money .... its like american hindi movie lol
14 July 2011, 12:56
010
When our family heard the news this morning, it was overwhelming, some of us cried of relief.
For every lebanese official, journalist, diplomat, for every person, who was concerned and helped it to happen: t h a n k y o u from Estonia!
14 July 2011, 13:07
03
And it took 2 months for them to download the video on Lebanese internt :)
14 July 2011, 13:50
05
Yeah..... it is another american-israeli plot concocted against the sacred resistance and its allies. Just as the late Harriri killed himself in order to discredit the mujaheedine and "Ashraf AL Nas"...!!!!
14 July 2011, 13:57
06
Does anyone else find it interesting that the release of the Estonians happened so soon after the formation of the government? is this supposed to show us how competent the government is and how much of a better job they are doing? or is all planned out to give them a little credit and boost their ratings? this is just a big ploy and it is well known if you live in Lebanon who kidnaps who on who's behalf, let us not act like idiots and pretend we don't know. On a lighter note i am glad they are finally free and can go back to their loved ones, i hope this "fad" we have in Lebanon can stop now.
14 July 2011, 14:35
07
You re welcome ULLE, but that is the least we can do.
It is shameful for Lebanon that this kidnapping took place in the first place.. I hope those responsible will be caught and locked up.
14 July 2011, 15:01
02
Will we ever be told who kidnapped them and why and will the responsible be put to justice???!!!!...or shall we have another international tribunal!!
14 July 2011, 15:19
13
whoever it was that commited this crime, rather than risk our stability, we should not seek the truth and just forget about justice.
14 July 2011, 15:30
05
A gift from Syria to their newly appointed government in Beirut. Thanks Syria for the gesture and as always the goodwill towards your little brother Lebanon.
Enjoy Miqati the fruits of your new government.
14 July 2011, 15:40
01
mabrouk ya chabeb have save journey home.. forget about the bikes use a plane.
14 July 2011, 16:01
03
They kidnap them ==> it is our previous government security fault
They release them ==> They are heroes
it works every single time.
Congrats Estonians - Glad to see you out. Keep on biking
14 July 2011, 16:05
04
So suddenly just like that they were freed...no police or army operation, no ransom, no demands...nothing and who reaps the reward >> the government. You can draw your own conclusions from this single fact!!!
14 July 2011, 17:13
04
Amazing some are still arguing who might have kidnapped them...The price to pay for their realease was a commitment from Estonia to support Syria in the security council. It was negotiated and once it succeeded the were realeased
14 July 2011, 17:33
04
Ülle, you are welcome.
I'm just saddened and wished that your appreciations were following an pleasant Lebanese vacation cycling, sight seeing and enjoying the hospitality we are known for as opposed to this. That said all well that ends well and I hope you have them home safe soon.
14 July 2011, 17:50
04
Apparently,the criminal Assad regime is still playing its filthy games in order to destabilize Lebanon (Arsonist/firefighter act), with the help of the Iranian criminal militia and street gang Hezb Ebola and its palestinian terrorist stooges. I couldn't agree more with those who pointed the finger at the Criminal Syrian regime and Hezbullah/Iran, this is obviously as stated by some on here aimed at discrediting the previous Government and boost the current criminal Hezbullah occupation government's rating. Can anyone say the diaper headed Iranian rat in the rat hole? It would be interresting to see who was behind that, ofcourse the criminal harbouring government of Mikati cannot be trusted to do that, unless Hezb Ebola and its Syrian and Iranian regime masters have managed to hatch a plot to steal a car and make it look like it was an LF member did it as they have been doing for the past 30 years. Just like what they did when they murdered Pierre Gemayel. JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED ..
14 July 2011, 17:52
51
They just look like the 7 Dwarfs... it's a funny pic.
Have a nice trip Bike home.
14 July 2011, 19:02
01
The biggest freak is the one posting the most times, who might that be humm lemme see, why it's the "critical thinker"
14 July 2011, 22:43
00
Now they all look like Arvo Part. They must have hummed Arvo's music to their captors, which has a soothing and a heavenly sound, that must have softened their hearts, and as a consequence, they were set free. Miserere!
15 July 2011, 00:55
02
The whole story stinks. Someone is covering something up as usual.
15 July 2011, 01:31
24
The abductors, Movement of Renewal and Reform, sounds pretty much like Aoun's reform movement using Hizb's arms to take the country hostage of Assad & Ahmadinajad's policy. Don Quixote Bassil instead of demarcating borders with Syria to stop flow of arms to Hizbs and restore Lebanon's sovereignty, is running after the maritime gas fields like any pirate in front of a new loot. We know how Iran used its oild and gas resources to build more rockets and train more Basij to oppress freedom seekers while the economy near bankruptcy with 20% inflation rate and the middle class eradicated. Let us hope that Bassil will not sell Lebanon's gas resources to his pirate friends so he can build more castles in Batroun or buy more rockets from Ahmadinajad. Hizb-Aoun’s cabinet are the new pirates, corrupt to the bones, and can cause irreparable damage to our economy, freedom and sovereignty. Estonians have gained freedom but would Lebanon ever be free of these pirates?
15 July 2011, 02:27
02
Dear Ülle,
We are thrilled your loved ones made it safe. I know many of us were distressed at this awful situation and have hoped and prayed for their safe return. Now we pray for the deliverance of Lebanon from the evil of terrorism.
15 July 2011, 02:48
01
It looks as if Hizbollah is back to their old habits ... they first kidnapped Terry Anderson from AP . When will the Lebanese realize this movement is not a resistance but terrorists .
15 July 2011, 03:28
01
just shows how well connected the puppet m8 Govt is connected to the Armed GANGS!!!
15 July 2011, 06:50
10
Its Summer its the only season lebanon can make some money out of tourism.
Tell me who in the world that did hear the news will venture to take a vacation in lebanon? Who will profit from non tourism in lebanon? THE JEWS.
It is the mossad who are in Hizballah . whom else would dare kidnap any one in lebanon but them? It is as clear as water. it does not need a genious to figure it out. Israel is having a blast with tourism this summer . try to book a flight and see. Money talks and bs walks in lebanon. you can buy anyone if the price is right. They say they want to anaelate israel and they hate israel yet they are puppets for israel. Hizballah is israeli made . People are being fooled by the telvised speeches. every one in the lebanese gov is a traitor. and getting paid.
