Swedish government announces release of hostage in Mali

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A Swedish citizen held hostage by al Qaeda militants for almost six years has been released, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

In her statement Ms Wallstrom highlighted collaboration between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Swedish Police Authority National Operations Department and other government departments, in Sweden and elsewhere.

"It is with great pleasure that I can announce that Johan Gustafsson has been released and can return to Sweden".

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom announced the release of Johan Gustafsson — who had been on a motorcycle tour through Africa — without giving details on what had finally led to his freedom, leaving also open whether the Nordic country's government paid a ransom in exchange for his freedom.

Johan Gustafsson, a Swede who was kidnapped in Mali more than five years ago, has been released.

"I welcomed him home, and I can say that he is in good health and is holding up well, given the circumstances", she said.

Gustafsson, McGowan and Dutchman Sjaak Rijke were abducted by al-Qaeda in Timbuktu, northern Mali, in November 2011.

The Swedish foreign ministry did not comment on McGowan's fate. She said only that "Sweden's policy is to not pay ransoms in the event of kidnappings". "No single case concerned me more as foreign minister". Gustafsson was flown back to Sweden where he arrived Monday afternoon.

Rijke was freed in April 2015 by French special forces.

The trio were kidnapped by a group of armed men on the terrace of their hotel along with several other Westerners, including Mr Rijke's wife who managed to escape.

The extremists were forced from their strongholds in 2013 by a French-led operation but continue to launch attacks on peacekeepers and Malian forces.

He tweeted on Monday: "Extremely gratifying that Johan Gustafsson is free".

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