Sekkingstad family happy about his release

Kjartan SekkingstadKjartan Sekkingstad along with Ambassador Erik Førner (Embassy / Philippines). Photo:Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Embassy in Manila / NTB scanpix

Kjartan Sekkingstad is released and in safety after a year in captivity. His Norwegian family are happy, but their thoughts also go out to the families of the hostages who were killed.

The news that Kjartan Sekkingstad was to be released in the Philippines arrived Saturday morning, but only a day after was it officially confirmed that he was in safety by the country’s authorities. It was a day on tenterhooks for his relatives in Norway.

– It is with great pleasure that we today received notification that Kjartan Sekkingstad, our son and brother has been set free after a year as a hostage by Abu Sayyaf, wrote the family in a statement.

– We are pleased that Kjartan is free, but we must not forget that two other hostages did not come home alive. Our thoughts are with them and their families today.

In the message they thanked the police crisis and hostage negotiation services for their good care and professional follow-up of the family in a difficult and emotional time.

– Going forward, we want to safeguard Kjartan the best possible way, and we therefore ask not to be contacted by the media in the coming time. We hope this will be respected.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

 

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