Swede held 6 years free of Mali jihadis

BAMAKO, Mali — A Swedish man kidnapped by Islamic militants in northern Mali nearly six years ago has been released from captivity, the Swedish government confirmed Monday.

There was no immediate word on the fate of a second hostage, from South Africa, who was also seized in Timbuktu.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom announced the release of Johan Gustafsson, who had been on a motorcycle tour through Africa, without giving details on what had finally led to his freedom and leaving open whether the Nordic country’s government paid a ransom in exchange for his freedom.

Gustafsson, 42, was flown to Stockholm on a special Swedish government plane later Monday, but he did not appear before media.

After his arrival, Wallstrom said during a news conference that Gustafsson was set free “a few days ago” but declined to give any details on the negotiations except to say that “diplomacy and police work” along with tight international cooperation led to his release.

“The Swedish policy is not to pay ransom in connection with kidnappings,” Wallstrom said, referring to her government’s general guideline.

There was no immediate word on the fate of Stephen McGown, the South African hostage. A third foreigner was been freed in 2015 by French special forces.

The kidnapping of Gustafsson took place in November 2011 as Islamic extremism was gaining a foothold in northern Mali.

Not long after, jihadi groups seized control of major towns, including Timbuktu.

The extremists were forced from their strongholds in early 2013 by a French-led military operation but continue to attack peacekeepers and Malian forces.

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