Unamid contractors freed in Darfur after 128 days in captivity

Two Russian Unamid contractors abducted by gunmen in Central Darfur last January have been freed on Friday.

Aircraft technician Sergei Cherepanov (54) and manager and translator Mikhail Antyufeev (26) were abducted on 29 January, when they were returning in an unguarded UN minibus from a market in Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, to the nearby Unamid base.

A group of masked gunmen intercepted the minibus, ordered the Unamid contractors to enter their vehicle at gunpoint, and left to an unknown destination. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ali El Sadig, announced in a press release that agents of the National Intelligence and Security service (NISS) succeeded to free the two Russians early on Friday morning.

He lauded “the great national effort” made by the NISS, as well as the stance of the Russian government, and their understanding of the complexities of the situation during the release operation.

“All of that led to the success of the release operation without losses or damages,” El Sadig said.

Cherepanov and Antyufeev arrived at Khartoum Airport from Zalingei on Saturday afternoon. Both appeared in good health, as they attended a press conference at the airport with the Russian ambassador, Mirgayas Shirinsky, and Sudanese government officials.

The ambassador said that no ransom was paid to secure their release, stressing they were being freed without use of force.

In a press statement today, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commended the efforts made by Unamid, and expressed his appreciation to the Sudanese and Russian governments for securing their safe release. 

He called on Khartoum to launch a full investigation into the abduction, underscoring the importance of Unamid's work for the people of Darfur.  

Related articles:

Russia negotiates with Sudanese kidnappers to release contractors (4 February 2015)

Contractor pilots kidnapped in Central Darfur (29 January 2015)