Two aid workers kidnapped in Niger in 2025 freed and arrive in Benghazi
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Dakaractu
Eva Gretzmacher, an Austrian kidnapped in Agadez on 12 January 2025, and Claudia Abbt, a Swiss-Nigerien kidnapped three months later, have been released and arrived in Benghazi. Their release, announced by a Libyan channel and confirmed by footage on 22 October, was reportedly secured through Khalifa Haftar, according to the outlet reporting the information.
The two European aid workers kidnapped in Niger in 2025, Eva Gretzmacher and Claudia Abbt, have been released and arrived in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday 22 October, according to Swiss and Austrian authorities and a Libyan television channel. Their release was secured through Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the leader of the country’s east.
Austrian Eva Gretzmacher was kidnapped in Agadez on 12 January 2025. Swiss-Nigerien Claudia Abbt was kidnapped in the same city in April. The two women were probably being held by the Islamic State in the Sahel group.
Eva Gretzmacher’s son, Christopher, told radio that his family was relieved after more than 21 months without being able to speak to her at length. He thanked Saddam Haftar, the field marshal’s son and commander of the Libyan National Army, as well as the Haftar family. Her son plans to join his mother in Vienna.
Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger also expressed her relief. The Swiss official who announced the release said Claudia Abbt was on her way to Switzerland. The two aid workers had already been reported released after nearly two years, on 22 October, according to our previous article on their release.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
