Advertisement

Kidnapped U.K. teacher freed after 5 months of captivity in Yemen

A British school teacher abducted by a tribal group in Sanaa on February 12 has been freed, and is now in the care of the British embassy in Sanaa.

By JC Finley

LONDON, July 28 (UPI) -- British school teacher Mike Harvey has been released after five months of captivity.

"We understand he was held by a tribal group," the U.K. Foreign Office said, adding "there was no operation to free him."

Advertisement

His release was facilitated by the Yemeni government, which engaged with tribal intermediaries.

Harvey was abducted on February 12 while returning home from work at an educational institute in Sanaa. Initially, there were concerns that he had been abducted by members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

The newly freed teacher is currently at the British embassy in Sanaa.

The British government has a travel advisory in place for Yemen, warning its nationals that "There is a very high threat of kidnap from armed tribes, criminals and terrorists."

Latest Headlines