Rebels release chopper crew in South Darfur

Two Ukrainians and a Sudanese held captive by rebel forces since early August after their helicopter made an emergency landing in South Darfur, have been released. The men’s release on Tuesday evening was confirmed by South Darfur’s Deputy Governor Mahdi Bush, at a press conference in Nyala. Babikir Gasmelkhalig, owner of Dindir Aviation that employs the crewmen, also confirmed the release of Ukranians Captain Serb and Dimitri Tabis, as well as Sudanese engineer Mohamed Al Hannan to AFP. As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, a technical fault forced the Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter to land in South Darfur on 8 August. At the time, Unamid said that the helicopter had been contracted by the mission to deliver supplies and was not carrying UN markings. Deputy Governor Bush said that “no ransom was paid for the helicopter crew, whose release was achieved by joint efforts and mediation between Sudanese Security Services and Unamid”. Gasmelkhalig has said the crew is well and are now at a hotel in Nyala, adding that rebels from the Sudan Liberation Army’s Minni Minawi faction were still holding the helicopter.Deputy Governor Bush confirmed that the helicopter is now at Abugaradil southeast of Nyala, saying that “the helicopter will be moved when we complete the procedures,” but did not give any further details. File photo: An Mi-8 helicopter of the type forced to make an emergency landing in Darfur recently Related: UN-contracted chopper ‘detained’ by Sudan rebels: Unamid (13 August 2013)