Chinese engineer abducted by Sudanese rebels has been released

GENEVA, Mar 27, 2004 (AP) — A Chinese engineer abducted by Sudanese rebels while working on a water project has been released, the international Red Cross said Saturday.

Li Aijung was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday near Nyala, the capital of the south Darfur province, the agency said in a staemnt.

He was flown on an ICRC aircraft to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, where he was placed in the care of the Sudanese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy.

Another Chinese engineer who was abducted at the same time as Li on March 14 managed to escape a week ago.

The ICRC said the two were held by the Sudan Liberation Army.

“The ICRC acted in the release in its capacity as a neutral intermediary and with the full agreement of all the parties concerned,” it said.

Rebels in western Sudan have been fighting for more than a year for an equal share of the wealth of Africa’s largest nation as well as greater political representation. Hundreds have been killed and more than 600,000 people have fled their homes.

Chinese engineer released by rebels in western Sudan