Red Cross staff taken hostage by ISIS as charity reveals three aid workers were captured five years ago
The Red Cross said it has launched an appeal to find the Louisa - against the wished of the New Zealand government.
Akavi’s identity was kept a secret at the demand of the New Zealand Government and her employer as they worried revealing it to the media could put her life at risk. “Louisa is a true and compassionate humanitarian. Alaa and Nabil were committed colleagues and an integral part of our aid deliveries. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Wintson Peters said the government deployed a non-combat team based in Iraq to find her.Peters said "this has been a uniquely complex and difficult case" but the "where a New Zealander is held by a terrorist organisation, the government takes all appropriate action to recover them".
"What we actually know is that Louisa has been working as a nurse during her abduction which shows her dedication and commitment to the mission and mandate of the Red Cross - caring for people affected by conflict.” The terror group reportedly increased their ransom demands to £17million and ordered the release of several of their fighters.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Zealand nurse Louisa Akavi, kidnapped in Syria, may be alive, Red Cross saysThe identity of Akavi, 62, has been revealed in a bid to secure her release after the fall of the last Isis stronghold
Read more »
Red Cross nurse captured by Islamic State in Syria in 2013 'may be alive'Louisa Akavi's status has been kept a secret for fear her life is at risk, but the collapse of IS has raised hopes of finding her.
Read more »
Plea for abducted Red Cross staff in SyriaOne of three staff abducted in 2013 is thought to be in the hands of the Islamic State group.
Read more »
Red Dead Redemption 2 UPDATE: New Plunder mode hits Red Dead Online on PS4, Xbox OneRed Dead Redemption 2 UPDATE: New Plunder mode hits Red Dead Online on PS4, Xbox One RedDeadRedemption2 RockstarGames
Read more »
My wife discovered that I cross-dress and her disgust made me feel abnormalDEAR DEIDRE: MY wife was disgusted when she discovered that I cross-dress. She’s decided to stay with me but wants no part in it. I have been a cross-dresser since my teens and the urge to transfor…
Read more »
Taste test: the best chocolate Easter eggs and hot cross bunsThe cook and author Melissa Hemsley tastes and rates Easter confections
Read more »
Hot cross bun taste test: The best Easter treats ranked on taste, texture and priceEASTER is only a few weeks away and the supermarkets are full of treats to help celebrate the occasion - including a selection of hot cross buns. This year, there is more than just the average hot cross bun on sale and with a number of new flavours also up for grabs shoppers are spoilt for choice. Luckily, Express.co.uk has tested out some of the most popular products out there to find which one is the best in terms of taste, texture, aroma and price.
Read more »
Cross-party Brexit talks 'positive'Parties bid to break parliamentary deadlock, following the delay of UK's departure date from the EU.
Read more »
George Osborne 'not optimistic' for softer Brexit as cross-party talks continueThe Evening Standard editor said Brexit has been 'enormously damaging' to the UK but won't back a second referendum yet.
Read more »
How to eat: hot cross bunsThis month, How to Eat is grilling hot cross buns. Do they need anything other than good butter? Is salted caramel a step too far? And how do we stop the hot cross bacon butty?
Read more »