Haiti Gang Seeks $17 Million For Releasing Kidnapped US Missionaries
NDTV
A Haitian minister said talks were underway with kidnappers to seek the release of the 17 missionaries kidnapped over the weekend by a gang called 400 Mawozo.
A Haitian gang that kidnapped a group of American and Canadian missionaries is asking for $17 million -- or $1 million each -- to release them, according to a top Haitian official.
Justice Minister Liszt Quitel told Reuters that talks were underway with kidnappers to seek the release of the missionaries abducted over the weekend outside the capital Port-au-Prince by a gang called 400 Mawozo.
The minister confirmed the hefty ransom fee, telling Reuters "they asked for $1 million per person." The fee was first reported by the Wall Street Journalearlier in the day.
CNN reported earlier on Tuesday the kidnappers first called Christian Aid Ministries - the group to which the victims belonged - on Saturday and immediately conveyed the price tag for the missionaries release. The FBI and Haitian police were advising the group in negotiations, the minister said.
