Kidnapped women from Austria and Switzerland released in Niger after 1.5 years

Claudia Abbt from Switzerland and Eva Gretzmacher from Austria were released after being held captive in Niger for over 18 months. They arrived in Benghazi, Libya, where they received medical assistance. Gretzmacher was kidnapped in January 2025, while Abbt was taken in April 2025. The exact group responsible for their abductions remains unclear. Authorities from both countries coordinated efforts for their release, involving police and intelligence services. The region faces challenges from jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and ISIS, leading to increased kidnappings and significant casualties.