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Mali hostage daughter's 'shock' at jihadist video | Mali hostage daughter's 'shock' at jihadist video |
(25 days later) | |
The daughter of a French hostage kidnapped by jihadists in Mali has spoken of her shock after he appeared in a video clip pleading for his release. | The daughter of a French hostage kidnapped by jihadists in Mali has spoken of her shock after he appeared in a video clip pleading for his release. |
Diane Lazarevic told French radio she was worried about the health of her 50-year-old father, Serge, who she said appeared frail and thin. | Diane Lazarevic told French radio she was worried about the health of her 50-year-old father, Serge, who she said appeared frail and thin. |
Mr Lazarevic was snatched by the jihadists in November 2011. | Mr Lazarevic was snatched by the jihadists in November 2011. |
A second hostage, Dutchman Sjaak Rijke, appeared in the video alongside him. | A second hostage, Dutchman Sjaak Rijke, appeared in the video alongside him. |
The video of the pair, posted by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was unearthed by terrorism monitoring group Site. | The video of the pair, posted by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was unearthed by terrorism monitoring group Site. |
It shows Mr Lazarevic in a dark headscarf and thick beard standing in front of a truck with a black jihadist banner behind him. | It shows Mr Lazarevic in a dark headscarf and thick beard standing in front of a truck with a black jihadist banner behind him. |
Speaking in French, he says that his "life is in danger since France intervened in Iraq". | Speaking in French, he says that his "life is in danger since France intervened in Iraq". |
He also urges President Francois Hollande to secure his release. | He also urges President Francois Hollande to secure his release. |
Family members say Mr Lazarevic was kidnapped while he was scouting possible sites for a cement factory. | Family members say Mr Lazarevic was kidnapped while he was scouting possible sites for a cement factory. |
He was taken alongside fellow Frenchman Philippe Verdon, who was shot dead by AQIM in March 2013. | |
Mr Lazarevic is the last remaining French hostage anywhere in the world. | Mr Lazarevic is the last remaining French hostage anywhere in the world. |
Mr Hollande's office confirmed the video was genuine, saying it offered "proof of life" and that officials were doing everything they could to secure Mr Lazarevic's release. | Mr Hollande's office confirmed the video was genuine, saying it offered "proof of life" and that officials were doing everything they could to secure Mr Lazarevic's release. |
'Government responsible' | 'Government responsible' |
In an interview with France's RTL radio, his daughter said she hoped he would be home by Christmas. | In an interview with France's RTL radio, his daughter said she hoped he would be home by Christmas. |
She added: "I was very shocked to see him and it's been very trying to see him like that - very thin and weak". | She added: "I was very shocked to see him and it's been very trying to see him like that - very thin and weak". |
Meanwhile the Dutch government, reacting to the appearance of Sjaak Rijke in the video, said it would not comment out of respect for the 54-year-old's family. | Meanwhile the Dutch government, reacting to the appearance of Sjaak Rijke in the video, said it would not comment out of respect for the 54-year-old's family. |
Mr Rijke, who is also shown bearded and standing in front of a black Islamist flag, says in the video that he is speaking on 26 September - though there is nothing else in the clip to confirm this. | Mr Rijke, who is also shown bearded and standing in front of a black Islamist flag, says in the video that he is speaking on 26 September - though there is nothing else in the clip to confirm this. |
"As of today, I hold my government responsible for any harm that comes to me," he adds. | "As of today, I hold my government responsible for any harm that comes to me," he adds. |
Mr Rijke was also kidnapped in November 2011, while visiting the Malian city of Timbuktu as a tourist. | Mr Rijke was also kidnapped in November 2011, while visiting the Malian city of Timbuktu as a tourist. |
It is not clear where the two hostages are being held or whether they are being held together. | It is not clear where the two hostages are being held or whether they are being held together. |
AQIM took a number of Western hostages before the French military deployed its forces against the group in January 2013. | AQIM took a number of Western hostages before the French military deployed its forces against the group in January 2013. |
There were at one point at least 14 French nationals being held by Islamists in West Africa. | There were at one point at least 14 French nationals being held by Islamists in West Africa. |
Correction, 9 December 2014: This story originally said Mr Verdon had been killed in March 2012 but has been updated to indicate he was actually killed in March 2013. |
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