Freed aid worker returns home a little lighter

The Dutch aid worker released by kidnappers after 20 months a captive in Dagestan, was due home to a party today.

Arjan Erkel was freed in the Russian Caucasus province yesterday .

He flew to Rotterdam today and was greeted by his family and Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot. He kissed the runway and hugged his mother.

“It was a difficult time,” Erkel said. “I am healthy. I lost 18 kilos, but I was treated well.”

He said he had been fed twice a day and was given plenty of water and tea.

Ruud Huurman, a spokesman for Doctors Without Borders, said Erkel was “extremely tired,” but would attend the festivities in his southern home town of Westdorpe.

Erkel was freed after months of efforts by Dutch and Russian negotiators and an unrelenting campaign by Erkel’s family. The release operation was conducted by police, but the circumstances were unclear.

Doctors Without Borders has had four staff members kidnapped in the region in over the past four years, according to Huurman. Its operations were halted when Erkel was seized.