Kerala priest abducted in Yemen is safe, says govt official

A priest from Kerala, who was abducted in Yemen, is safe and efforts to secure his release have reached their last stage, a government official said on Wednesday.

A priest from Kerala, who was abducted in Yemen, is safe and efforts to secure his release have reached their last stage, a government official said on Wednesday.

Tom Uzhunnalil, a Catholic priest from Kerala, was abducted after militants attacked an elderly care home run by the Missionaries of Charity in Yemen (File Photo)

Catholic priest, Tom Uzhunnalil, is safe and has spoken to his church’s authorities, the official told IANS.

“ It is now clear that the priest is not in the custody of the Islamic State (IS) terror group but with anti-government forces in Yemen. Last minute efforts are underway and his release is imminent,” the official said.

Read | Over 40 Indians abducted by IS, kin living on Centre’s assurances

In March, armed militants barged into an elderly home set up by the Missionaries of Charity in 1992 and killed dozens, including four nuns -- one of whom was Indian.

The militants abducted Uzhunnalil and there was no news of him until last week.

The Vatican, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the local Indian community in Yemen are all working hard to secure his safe release.