Washington, United States : Al-Qaeda's affiliate in North Africa released Tuesday a new proof-of-life video of Swiss missionary Beatrice Stockly, held hostage in Mali by the group since last January, US-based monitoring group SITE said.
The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) video, which lasts two minutes and 17 seconds, was posted on social media sites Telegram and Twitter, according to SITE.
In the clip a woman whose head is covered by a black veil identifies herself as Stockly. She says the date of the recording is December 31, 2016, and that she has been held hostage by AQIM for 360 days.
She spoke in French, with her weary voice barely audible and her face blurred out.
Stockly greeted her family and thanked the Swiss government "for all the efforts they have made."
"I am in good health," she added.
In late January 2016, AQIM claimed responsibility in a video for Stockly's kidnapping, which it said took place on January 7.
The group said it would free her in exchange for a number of AQIM fighters jailed in Mali and one of their leaders held in The Hague.
Switzerland has demanded her release without conditions.
AQIM released a second similar video in mid-June aimed at proving she was still alive.
Stockly, who is in her 40s, is a Christian missionary who was previously abducted by jihadists in northern Mali's Timbuktu in 2012. On that occasion, she was freed about two weeks later, and opted to keep living in Mali.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) video, which lasts two minutes and 17 seconds, was posted on social media sites Telegram and Twitter, according to SITE.
In the clip a woman whose head is covered by a black veil identifies herself as Stockly. She says the date of the recording is December 31, 2016, and that she has been held hostage by AQIM for 360 days.
Stockly greeted her family and thanked the Swiss government "for all the efforts they have made."
Advertisement
In late January 2016, AQIM claimed responsibility in a video for Stockly's kidnapping, which it said took place on January 7.
Advertisement
Switzerland has demanded her release without conditions.
Advertisement
Stockly, who is in her 40s, is a Christian missionary who was previously abducted by jihadists in northern Mali's Timbuktu in 2012. On that occasion, she was freed about two weeks later, and opted to keep living in Mali.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Child Among 8 Killed In Clashes Between Army, Rebels In Syria: Report 2 Bangladeshis Sentenced To 5 Years In Jail By Anti-Terror Court In Mumbai Probe Agency NIA Attaches Lucknow Home Of Al-Qaeda Terrorist Windows Systems Restarting, Throwing Blue Screen Of Death Due To This Error Explained: What Is Causing The Dreaded 'Blue Screen Of Death' On Windows? Flights, Markets, Banks, Stock Exchange: Microsoft Outage Crippling Sectors Central Railways Jobs 2024: Applications For 2,424 Apprentice Posts Begin "Too Little Too Late": Ola CEO Slams Google For Slashing Maps' Fee Flights, Markets, Banks, Stock Exchange: Microsoft Outage Crippling Sectors Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.