Kidnapped Swiss, Austrian Nationals Freed After More Than 21 Months

Two European women who were kidnapped in Niger more than 21 months ago have been freed and taken to Libya, where they received medical treatment, authorities in Switzerland and Austria have confirmed.

The women, identified as 69-year-old Swiss national Claudia Abbt and 76-year-old Austrian Eva Gretzmacher, arrived in Benghazi, eastern Libya, on Thursday.

Their release followed an intervention by Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls eastern Libya and parts of the country’s south.

The women appeared on a broadcast by Al-Masar, a television channel based in eastern Libya, where they expressed gratitude to Haftar and his son, Saddam, for helping secure their freedom.

Gretzmacher was abducted on January 11, 2025, while Abbt was captured in April of the same year. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for either kidnapping.

However, some experts and Nigerien media outlets have suggested that the Islamic State in the Sahel or affiliated groups could have been responsible.

Both women had been living in Agadez, northern Niger, where they were involved in education and development initiatives before their abductions.

Officials from Switzerland and Austria met the women in Benghazi following their release.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry said Abbt was “doing well under the circumstances” and was on her way back to Switzerland.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis expressed relief at her release. Following the discovery of the kidnapping, Switzerland had established a task force involving police and intelligence resources to work towards securing her freedom.

Austria also confirmed that Gretzmacher was received by a crisis response team on Thursday after what it described as intensive diplomatic efforts.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said the Austrian government and Gretzmacher’s family were relieved that she was free after more than 21 months in captivity, describing the period as an unimaginable ordeal.