Iranian Diplomat Abducted in Yemen Freed, Back in Tehran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian diplomat who had been held hostage by terrorist groups in Yemen for over 17 months was released and is back home.
Thanks to the efforts made by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, Nour Ahmad Nikbakht’s freedom was secured and he arrived at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran on Thursday.
He was received at the airport by Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian, a number of parliamentarians as well as his family members.
Nikbakht was abducted on July 21, 2013, on his way to work from his home in the diplomatic quarter of the Yemeni capital of Sana’a, when unidentified gunmen blocked the road, forced him out of his vehicle and took him away.
The Intelligence Ministry has congratulated the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian nation and Nikbakht’s family on the successful release of the diplomat.
Abductions are frequent in Yemen. The country has been in turmoil since 2011 pro-democracy protests forced long-ruling President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.
The Shiite Ansarullah movement said the Yemeni government has been incapable of properly running the affairs of the country and providing security. The movement has established a transitional council to govern the country until a new government is elected.
