Kidnapped AP Photog Released in Gaza

Emilio Morenatti

The Associated Press (AP) has confirmed the release of their photographer who was kidnapped Monday in Gaza. After a day-long ordeal in the hands of his abductors, Emilio Morenatti was brought before midnight to the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by Fatah officials.

“I’m tired but happy to have come back because there were very anguished moments,” said Morenatti, a 37-year-old Spaniard. He was blindfolded for much of the time, and was disguised as a woman in veiled dress and taken to another location.

It was not clear who kidnapped him, but Palestinian authorities said they now know who they are and will be pursued.

At the news of his release, his relatives in Spain were exultant. “We were all sitting around together and when we heard the news we yelled with joy and then we opened a bottle of rioja (wine) to celebrate,” Miguel Angel Morenatti, a brother of the photographer, told the AP.

[Via: The Associated Press]
[Photo courtesy of Oded Balilty/AP]

Published by Chris Malinao

Chris teaches Lightroom as workflow software to photography students at the FPPF, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation. He also teaches smartphone photography.