UN aid worker John Solecki was kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan on February 2 2009. Militants kidnapped Solecki, who was on his way to work, and killed his driver, Syed Hashim.CNN: Pakistan: Video appears to show kidnapped U.N. official (February 13, 2009)
The State Department confirmed that Solecki had been released on April 4, 2009, at a village about 30 miles south of Quetta. Someone claiming to be from the group said he was released for health reasons; apparently none of the militant's demands to free prisoners were met.UPI: U.N. aid worker freed in Pakistan (April 4, 2009) CNN: American U.N. official freed in Pakistan (April 4, 2009)
Video, Demands and Deadlines
On February 13, 2009, a video of what appears to be a blindfolded Solecki aired on Pakistan's Geo TV station. In the video Solecki pleads to the U.N. for help. The kidnappers threatened they would kill him within 72 hours if the U.N. does not meet their demands and release over 100 prisoners.MSNBC: Kidnappers Threaten to Kill UN Worked (February 13, 2009) Although the deadline that was set by Solecki's kidnappers had passed, there were conflicting reports that the deadline may have been extended.The CNN Wire: Conflicting reports surround kidnapping of U.N. official (February 16, 2009)
Local journalists in Quetta reportedly received a phone call from the kidnappers giving an extension to a deadline that they had originally set in a video. In the video, the kidnappers stated they would kill Solecki if their demands, which included the release of prisoners, were not met by February 16, 2009.The CNN Wire: Conflicting reports surround kidnapping of U.N. official (February 16, 2009)
Quotes
"We have learned that he usually did not like to have an escort with him on his way to the office."'—Khalid Masood, Pakistan police
"We had given adequate security to him...We also had a meeting with him, and we had fulfilled all requirements he had discussed with us."—Wazir Khan Nasir, Pakistan police
