2 abductees freed in Haiti, according to US missionaries

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Two of 17 members of a missionary group who were abducted in Haiti last month have been freed, according to an Ohio-based church group.

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In a statement on Sunday, Christian Aid Ministries, based in Berlin, Ohio, issued a statement Sunday saying the two people “are safe, in good spirits and being cared for.”

“We cannot provide or confirm the names of those released, the reasons for their release, where they are from, or their current location,” the church organization said in its statement. “We ask that those who have more specific information about the release and the individuals involved would safeguard that information.

The missionaries, 16 Americans and a Canadian citizen, including five children, were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16, the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, which monitors kidnapping, told the Miami Herald. The group’s Haitian driver also was abducted, according to The Associated Press.

Sunday was their 37th day in captivity, according to the Miami Herald.

Haiti’s justice ministry said officials could not yet confirm the information passed along by Christian Aid Ministries. However, a U.S. government source did confirm the release and the Herald, quoting anonymous sources, said that no ransom was paid and the hostages were released due to illness.

The 400 Mawozo gang is known for attacking vehicles and kidnapping people from cars and buses, the newspaper reported.

Haiti has been in a state of political upheaval for several years, and kidnappings are common, regardless of economic status, The New York Times reported in October.

The gang initially demanded a ransom of $1 million per person, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

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