02/04/2013

Syrian rebels have freed several hostages, including two Russians and an Italian, in exchange for their fellow fighters, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian nationals, identified as Viktor Gorelov and Abdessattar Hassun, and the Italian, Mario Bellumo, were taken prisoner on December 12, 2012, while traveling between the Syrian cities of Homs and Tartus.

All of the freed prisoners are safe and in good health, the ministry said. They have been transported to the Russian Embassy in Damascus.

It was reported earlier that the captors of the Russian citizens had demanded a $700,000 ransom for their lives and voiced no political demands. It was unclear whether any money was paid for their release.

The foreign ministry has advised Russian citizens against traveling to Syria, which is enduring a 22-month-long armed conflict between government troops and rebel forces. Kidnappings for political gain or financial profit have become common in Syria, as no authority is able to maintain order.

Via RT