Four French journalists held hostage in Syria for 10 months have been released, officials said Saturday, the latest batch of reporters to be freed in what has become the world’s deadliest conflict for the media.
President François Hollande’s office said in a statement Saturday that he felt “immense relief” over the release of Edouard Elias, Didier François, Nicolas Henin and Pierre Torres who are all said to be in good health despite the “very trying conditions” of their captivity.
“We are very happy to be free … and it’s very nice to see the sky, to be able to walk, to be able to … speak freely,” said François, who works for Europe 1 radio, in footage recorded by the private Turkish news agency DHA as the journalists left a police station.
Elias, a photographer, also worked for Europe 1 radio. Henin and Torres are freelance journalists.
DHA said soldiers on patrol found the four blindfolded and handcuffed in southeast Sanliurfa province late Friday. Turkish television showed pictures of the four at the police station and then a local hospital.
It was not clear whether a ransom had been paid for their release, nor which group in Syria’s chaotic three-year-old conflict held the men.
