SANA'A: A Norwegian citizen was reportedly kidnapped in Yemen's capital Sana'a on Saturday, sources told Bikyamasr.com. According to reports on the ground, tribesmen kidnapped the Norwegian and are calling on the government to release those imprisoned in a prisoner swap deal. Tribesmen and Islamic militants have kidnapped a number of foreigners in recent months, including a French aid worker and her Yemeni driver and translator in late November last year. “The Norwegian was kidnapped on Saturday night in Sana'a by some tribesmen from Marib,” the source told Bikyamasr.com via telephone. The source added that “they see this is as a chance to put pressure on the government to set free people that have been arrested.” On November 14 last year, three French hostages kidnapped by al-Qaeda militants were also released after five months in captivity. Tribes in Yemen often kidnap foreigners to pressure the authorities into making concessions. More than 200 foreigners have been abducted over the past 15 years, with almost all of them later freed unharmed. Tensions continue to remain high in Yemen after an immunity deal agreed to by the government of soon-to-be ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh was achieved. Activists have already spoken out against the deal and have called for Saleh to face trial for killing protesters in the country. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/CxOm2 Tags: Kidnapping, Norway, Sanaa, Tribesmen Section: Europe, Latest News, Yemen
