Dushanbe - Five police officers held captive in Tajikistan by former Islamist guerrillas were freed yesterday following negotiations, the country's deputy Prime Minister has announced. "The hostages have been freed unconditionally," said Mr Khodja Akhbar Touradjonzoda, without giving any further details.
The kidnappers - who took the hostages last Monday - are former Islamic guerrillas who accused the authorities of violating a 1997 peace accord. On Thursday, they demanded the freedom of 13 of their comrades. Also yesterday, guerrillas released 15 other hostages - 11 employees of a German aid group and four soldiers - who were taken captive on Friday.