Taliban release Greek aid worker

Apr 8, 2010, 12:37 GMT

Islamabad - A Greek national snatched by Islamic militants eight months ago in north-west Pakistan has been safely released, officials said on Thursday.

The militants snatched Athanasios Lerounis, head of the non-profit organization Greek Volunteers, from outside his office in remote Kalash valley near Chitral last September after killing his personal guard.

He was taken across the border to Nuristan province in Afghanistan, where he was kept most of the time until he was released and brought back late Wednesday, Inyatullah Khan, a senior police officer in the area, told German Press Agency dpa.

'He is healthy and the local people are very happy,' Khan said. 'The release has been made possible by the joint efforts of local influential people and intelligence agencies.'

The Taliban had demanded a hefty ransom and the release of three senior leaders held by Islamabad in exchange for the Greek's return.

Officials say that finally he was released unconditionally but intelligence sources said that at least 5 million rupees (60,000 dollars) have been paid in ransom.

It was unclear whether Pakistan released any Taliban militants in return, as initially demanded by the kidnappers.

Lerounis has been working with the Kalash people, who with their fairer skin and Greek features are widely believed to be descended from Greek ancestry.

It is said that some of the locals were direct descendants of soldiers of Alexander the Great's army that captured the valley in fourth century BC.

The area is rich in ancient culture and natural beauty and attracted thousands of tourists every year until it was declared unsafe a few years ago due to increasing militancy in the region.

Chitral borders the Swat valley to the south, a former militant stronghold, where Pakistani forces launched a bloody military operation last spring.

The offensive allowed national authorities to take control of the main towns. The Taliban fled to their mountain hideouts, some along the Chitral valley, to launch attacks from their new base.