AMERICA/HAITI - The press announces the release of one of the kidnapped on Sunday, April 11

Monday, 19 April 2021 kidnapping violence priests nuns local churches social situation

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HAITI

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Port au Prince (Agenzia Fides) - "One of the people kidnapped in Haiti last Sunday was reportedly released. Since then, there has been no further news from the kidnappers. A total of nine people are still held hostage", "Le Telegramme" newspaper reported on its website on Saturday evening, April 17th. On Sunday, April 11, ten people were kidnapped near Port-au-Prince, five of them priests, two nuns and three relatives of one of the priests (see Fides, 12/4/2021).
"This Saturday, April 17, a Haitian source informed us that one of the hostages had been released. According to the evidence in our possession, the kidnappers received a ransom of $ 50,000 for the release of all hostages. Contrary to the prediction, however, the kidnap gang called "400 Mawozo" only freed one hostage: it is the mother of Father Jean Anel Joseph, who was supposed to take office in his new parish last Sunday", writes the newspaper "Le Telegramme", and continues: "The Haitian woman, around 70, was the weakest of the group and her health had deteriorated. She specified that the group is kept in a wood, under a tree, in very precarious conditions and the hostages have their hands and feet tied".
Local press reports also show that, since this release, the kidnappers have not had any contact with the members of the Society of Saint-Jacques, who are negotiating with the kidnappers on behalf of the authorities. Last Thursday, April 15th, public and private Haitian schools as well as many commercial activities were closed to show solidarity with the hostages and to protest against the general insecurity that has been increasing in Haiti for many months (see Fides 14/4/ 2021).
The kidnapped are five priests of the Society of Priests of Saint Jacques, two nuns and two lay faithful. Among them are Michel Briand, a 67-year-old Breton missionary from Messac who has lived on the island for many years, and Agnès Bordeau, a nun from Sarthe. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 19/4/2021)