Yemeni kidnappers recapture Japanese hostage after his release

Nov 18, 2009, 4:14 GMT

   Sana'a, Yemen - Yemeni tribesmen recaptured a Japanese engineer shortly after they released him to mediators in a tribal area near the capital Sana'a late on Tuesday, a government official said.

   The official told the German Press Agency dpa that the 63-year-old hostage 'is still in the hands of the abductors.'

   He added that the kidnappers 'changed their minds and refused to let the man go before their demand is met.'

   They demanded the release of a fellow clan member detained for ties with al-Qaeda, officials said.

   The kidnappers, who belong to the al-Zidani clan of the Arhab tribe, snatched the engineer in Arhab district on Monday during a working visit to a school construction site.

   The project is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, for which the engineer works.

   Last night, Yemeni authorities informed the Japanese embassy that the hostage was freed.

   Police officials confirmed the release of the 63-year-old engineer, whose name was not given.

   They said tribal mediators secured the hostage's release after they made pledges to the kidnappers to meet their demands.