NIAMEY, Niger, May 18 (UPI) -- Authorities in Niger said they charged the Algerian driver of a French tourist kidnapped in April for playing a role in his abduction.
French citizen Michel Germaneau and Abidine Ouaghi, his driver, were kidnapped April 21 in the northern Niger desert near the border of Mali and Algeria. Al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Ouaghi was found by Mali nomads several days later as he wandered the Mali deserts. He was later returned to Algeria. Radio France International said Ouaghi was released immediately by AQIM militants but was later held for several hours.
Authorities in the western Niger city of Niamey said a judge placed Ouaghi in custody after he was found to have played a role in the abduction of Germaneau, RFI adds.
AQIM said it is still holding the Frenchman. The group formed as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, dedicated to overthrowing the Algerian government. It joined forces with al-Qaida in 2004 and has spread its reach across North and West Africa.
