Two European women abducted in Niger more than a year and a half ago have been freed and transferred to Libya, following an intervention by eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar.
The release of 76-year-old Austrian national Eva Gretzmacher and 69-year-old Swiss citizen Claudia Abbt was announced on Thursday by the governments of Austria and Switzerland.
The women arrived in Benghazi, eastern Libya, where they received medical attention before being met by officials from their respective countries.
Their freedom followed efforts by Haftar, who controls eastern Libya and parts of the south, although details of the operation that secured their release were not disclosed.
In a broadcast by the eastern-based Al-Masar television channel, the two women, who appeared tired, expressed gratitude to Haftar and his son, Saddam, for their role in securing their freedom.
Gretzmacher was abducted on January 11, 2025, while Abbt was kidnapped in April of the same year. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for either abduction.
However, several experts and Nigerien media outlets have suggested that the Islamic State in the Sahel jihadist group or affiliated organisations could have been responsible.
Both women lived in Agadez, northern Niger, where they were involved in education and development initiatives before their abductions.
Swiss authorities said Abbt was doing well under the circumstances and was on her way back to Switzerland.
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis welcomed her release, expressing relief after months of efforts to secure her freedom. Following the discovery of the kidnapping, Switzerland established a task force involving police and intelligence resources to coordinate efforts to bring her home.
Austria also confirmed that Gretzmacher had been received by a crisis response team after what it described as intensive diplomatic efforts.
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said the government was relieved that Gretzmacher had regained her freedom after more than 21 months in captivity, describing the period as an unimaginable ordeal for the woman and her family.
The release brings an end to a prolonged hostage ordeal for the two women, whose abductions had highlighted security concerns in Niger’s northern regions, where armed groups operate across parts of the Sahel.
Although the circumstances surrounding their captivity and release remain unclear, their transfer to Libya has provided a breakthrough for their families and the European governments involved in efforts to secure their freedom.
