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Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong: "We pay tribute to the strength and perseverance shown by Dr Elliott and the members of his family under the most difficult circumstances"
Photograph:
LISA MARIE DAVID / POOL / EPA
For more than seven years, the fate of Kenneth Elliott was unclear. In January 2016, the Australian doctor and his wife Jocelyn were kidnapped by Islamist extremists. At the time, the couple ran a clinic in Djibo in northern Burkina Faso with space for 120 people. Jocelyn Elliott was released after about three weeks. Her husband, however, remained in captivity.
On Friday, the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Kenneth Elliott was also free again. The 88-year-old is safe and doing well, according to a statement by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Elliott is reunited with his wife and their children. Details of the release were not given.
The Australian's family thanked God and everyone who prayed for Elliott. "At the age of 88 and after many years away from home, Dr. Elliott now needs time and privacy to rest and recharge his batteries."
Kenneth and Jocelyn Elliott are from the city of Perth, according to Australian media reports. They had been living in Djibo since 1972 and ran the hospital there. The city is located near the borders with Niger and Mali.
aar/Reuters