Chechnya's security minister said Wednesday two Britons kidnapped in July were alive and unharmed after a failed attempt to free them earlier this week, Itar-Tass reported.
Chechen security forces called off an operation to free Camilla Carr and Jon James on Monday after a commando was killed and five were wounded in an ambush en route to the location where the hostages were believed to be held.
"We have obtained intelligence information that the hostages did not suffer during the shootout. Their health condition is satisfactory," Itar-Tass quoted Chechen Security Minister Islam Khalimov as saying.
In another high-profile kidnapping, two Swedish missionaries were shown in video footage on Russian television alive and well, but the Swedish Embassy dismissed the footage as old and worthless.
Pauline and Daniel Brolin, both 22, kidnapped Jan. 8 in the Russian republic of Dagestan and taken into neighboring Chechnya, said on the videotape, taken by their captors in a cellar, that they were being well-treated and fed.
They passed on messages for relatives and asked for help to secure their release.
But the Swedish Embassy in Moscow said Wednesday that the footage shown appeared old, predating a tape sent to the embassy a month ago.
"This video seems to be of an earlier date than the one already sent," embassy second secretary Anders Wallberg said. "It proves very little."
"We, of course, try all means that are possible to try and assure the secure release and return of the two kidnapped Swedes," Wallberg said.
Khalimov said his forces were continuing efforts to free Carr and James, who were involved in a humanitarian program to help the children of the breakaway Russian region which was devastated by fighting between separatists and Russian troops from 1994-96.
Hundreds of people, including foreigners, have been abducted in Chechnya, still stricken by the 21-month war with Moscow over its drive for independence which killed tens of thousands of people. Reuters, AFP
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