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German hostages 'freed in Turkey' German hostages freed in Turkey
(19 minutes later)
Three German climbers taken hostage by Kurdish armed rebel group the PKK have been freed, reports say. Three German climbers taken hostage by Kurdish armed rebel group the PKK have been freed and are in the hands of the Turkish government, officials say.
The tourists were seized from their camp on Mount Ararat in Turkey's eastern Agri province on 9 July.The tourists were seized from their camp on Mount Ararat in Turkey's eastern Agri province on 9 July.
The PKK vowed not to release them unless Germany renounced its crackdown on the group, defined as a terrorist organisation by the US, EU and Turkey.The PKK vowed not to release them unless Germany renounced its crackdown on the group, defined as a terrorist organisation by the US, EU and Turkey.
But news of their freedom was reported on the CNN-Turk and Turkish NTV television channels on Sunday. "We have the German mountaineers," a Turkish government spokesman said.
"We have the German mountaineers. The Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has called the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to inform him," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency. Foreign ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said details of the operation would be announced later by the governor of Agri Province.
The Germans were part of a 13-member climbing team that had set up camp at 3,200m (10,500ft) on the mountain, the highest in Turkey and a popular tourist destination.The Germans were part of a 13-member climbing team that had set up camp at 3,200m (10,500ft) on the mountain, the highest in Turkey and a popular tourist destination.
Their seizure came a month after Germany banned a Kurdish television station which the country's interior minister said was a mouthpiece for the armed group.Their seizure came a month after Germany banned a Kurdish television station which the country's interior minister said was a mouthpiece for the armed group.
Germany also extradited two PKK militants to Turkey last year.Germany also extradited two PKK militants to Turkey last year.
Turkey has in recent months stepped up its campaign against PKK bases in northern Iraq, in response to an increase in attacks by the group.Turkey has in recent months stepped up its campaign against PKK bases in northern Iraq, in response to an increase in attacks by the group.
The PKK seeks autonomy for Kurds in south-eastern Turkey. More than 30,000 people have been killed since the group began its armed campaign in 1984.The PKK seeks autonomy for Kurds in south-eastern Turkey. More than 30,000 people have been killed since the group began its armed campaign in 1984.