STOW, Ohio -- The newlyweds seized last week by Sri Lankan terrorists were not mistreated during their six-day ordeal and are in high spirits after their release, the mother of the kidnapped woman says.
Kathrine Daymon clutched the hand of her husband, Harley, as she talked on the telephone with one of her son-in-law's co-workers in Sri Lanka.
'He said they were both safe and treated well. Mary's spirits were high and so were Stanley's. They were not mistreated,' she said after her conversation with John Rivera, an employee of the Ruhlin Co.
Mrs. Daymon's daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married Stanley Allen in March. The couple moved to Sri Lanka where Allen, an employee of the Akron-based construction company, worked on a water project.
The Allens were kidnapped Thursday by Sri Lankan terrorists and released safely Tuesday.
'We're just elated,' said Mrs. Daymon. 'Words can't express our joy that they are safe and unharmed.'
Mrs. Daymon said she prayed to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost possessions, for his help in the safe return of her son-in-law and daughter.
'I prayed all night that they would be safe and they are. My prayers have been answered,' said Mrs. Daymon, who was surrounded by reporters and photographer's at the family's home in Stow, an Akron suburb.
'Mary says she would like a shower,' Mrs. Daymon said with a smile.
Allen's father, Fred, who lives in McConnelsville, about 100 miles southeast of Columbus, said, 'I'm elated with their release. Everything worked out.'
The terrorists, members of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Front, originally demanded release of 20 members of their group, who are being held as prisoners, and $2 million in gold in exchange for the Allens' freedom.
Appeals for the couple's release from Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi apparently convinced the terrorists to free the couple.
The Allens were kidnapped from their home in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka where members of the Tamil minority are fighting for an independent state.
Guerrillas accused Allen of working for the CIA, which Ruhlin denied.
Religious violence between the minority Tamils and the majority Sinhalese in the former British colony of Ceylon has left more than 450 people dead in the last year.
