France: Captive in Mali Is Dead

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/16/world/europe/france-captive-in-mali-is-dead.html

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The death of a Frenchman held by Islamist fighters in northern Africa was confirmed on Monday, President François Hollande announced, after the recovery and examination of the man’s body in northern Mali. The man, Philippe Verdon, 53, had been kidnapped in northeastern Mali in November 2011. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the regional affiliate of Al Qaeda, said in March that Mr. Verdon had been killed, but the claim could not be confirmed, and his family suggested that he might have died of a heart ailment. His body will be returned to France, Mr. Hollande said. Mr. Verdon was kidnapped with another Frenchman, Serge Lazarevic, who remains a captive; the two were said to have been in the isolated town of Hombori, Mali, on business, but some French media outlets speculated that they might have been arms dealers or spies. At least six other French citizens are believed to be held by militants in the region.