Seven Estonian tourists kidnapped in Beirut back home

TALLINN. July 16. KAZINFORM Seven Estonians released by kidnappers in Lebanon touched their homeland soil Friday after 113 days in captivity; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

photo: QAZINFORM

They reunited with family members and loved ones at the Tallinn Airport.

All of the seven Estonian biker tourists appeared in good health, smiling and waving to welcomers, as they walked down a government-chartered plane.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said on Thursday that the release of the abducted came as the result of cooperation between Estonia, Lebanon and other partners.

It is not yet clear whether a ransom was paid.

In April, the Movement of Rebirth and Reform, an obscure organization allegedly behind the abduction in Beirut in March, demanded a ransom.