WELLINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed on Monday that a New Zealand aid worker remained missing more than five years after she was taken hostage in Syria.

Louisa Akavi, 62, was abducted in October 2013 while travelling with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northwestern Syria. It is believed that she had been held by the Islamic State (IS) from very early on since then.

It reported that the IS asked for a ransom, but both the New Zealand government and the ICRC have a policy of not paying for hostages.

Peters said that the New Zealand government was taking all appropriate action to recover Akavi.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has led a significant and sustained whole-of-government effort. This has also involved a wide range of other agencies, and cooperation with international partners,” said the official.

The New York Times reported that there were credible sightings of Akavi in the IS last strongholds in December. However, it is still unknown where she is. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)