SANAA, Yemen, July 31 (UPI) -- Yemen's Olympic committee appealed Tuesday for the release of an Italian security guard kidnapped in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
Naela Nasser, head of the Yemeni delegation to the Olympics, called the kidnapping of Alexander Spadotto "contrary to our traditions" and something that "no one can approve of."
The Yemen Post reported Spadotto, 30, was kidnapped by the Al Abida clan Sunday as he was patrolling the Italian Embassy in the Wady district of Sanaa. Clan member Ali Nasser Hudaikan is holding Spadotto hostage in exchange for the removal of his name from a state blacklist and for compensation.
ANSA reported Yemen's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al Qirbi and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi have collaborated to locate Spadotto.
