Three Spanish journalists missing in Syria since July have been freed, the Spanish government said Saturday.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s office said in a statement that Antonio Pampliega, Jose Manuel Lopez and Angel Sastre, who disappeared near the city of Aleppo in northern Syria on July 12 while working on an investigative story, were safe and well, the wire services reported.
Spain’s acting deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said she had spoken with all three, a government spokesman said. El Pais newspaper reported the men were in Turkey and waiting to be brought back to Spain.
Few details on the men’s release and prior captivity were released. Spain said Turkey, Qatar and “other allies and friends” helped free the journalists.
Three other Spanish journalists were released in March 2014 after being held hostage by Syrian extremists for months. It is widely believed that their government paid a ransom for their release, although it has not been officially confirmed.
Elsa Gonzalez, president of Spain’s federation of journalists, said the news was a cause for “joy and emotion.”
“Work by reporters like these elevates journalism,” Gonzalez said.
