In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/9253

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES FREEING OF LONG-HELD MEDICAL AID VOLUNTEER IN DAGESTAN

12/04/2004
Press Release
SG/SM/9253


Secretary-General welcomes freeing of long-held medical aid volunteer in dagestan


The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:


The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the freeing of Arjan Erkel, a volunteer for the non-governmental aid organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, who had been abducted on 12 August 2002 while working in the RussianRepublic of Dagestan.  He thanks the Russian and Dagestani authorities for their efforts to facilitate Mr. Erkel’s release.


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For information media. Not an official record.