German FM confirms German hostage freed in Afghanistan

BERLIN, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) — German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier confirmed Wednesday that the German engineer kidnapped months ago in Afghanistan was released.

“The German citizen… who was kidnapped in Afghanistan is free,” he said in a statement.

“We are happy and relieved,” he said.

According to a report by German news agency DPA, the German engineer has been brought to the German embassy in Kabul and was in good health conditions, both mentally and physically.

The German was kidnapped by Taliban militants in Wardak in central Afghanistan in July together with his German colleague, who was later shot dead.

The release of the German hostage came two days before the German parliament vote to extend the country’s military mission in Afghanistan.