Two hostages kidnapped in Agadez freed and transferred to Libya
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Aïr Info
Austrian Eva Gretzmacher and Swiss Claudia Abbt, kidnapped separately in Agadez in 2025, have been released and taken to Benghazi, Libya. Their transfer to Austria and Switzerland was to follow the necessary formalities, while Saddam Haftar’s role remains unconfirmed, according to Aïr Info.
Austrian national Eva Gretzmacher and Swiss national Claudia Abbt, kidnapped separately in Agadez in 2025, have been released and arrived in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday 21 October, Aïr Info reports. Their transfer to the authorities of their respective countries was expected to follow the completion of the necessary formalities.
A plane was due to leave Benghazi on Thursday 22 October, stop in Vienna to hand Gretzmacher over to Austrian authorities, then continue to Switzerland with Abbt. Gretzmacher was kidnapped at her home on 11 January 2025; Abbt was abducted in the same city in April.
Several sources have attributed the kidnappings to the Islamic State in the Sahel. Saddam Haftar, son of Libyan Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has been mentioned in connection with the release of the two women, but his role has not been officially confirmed.
The release confirms information published on 11 September that the two women had reportedly been freed.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
