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31 October 2006
MADRID — A Spanish aid worker kidnapped in the Gaza Strip by an unknown organisation was set free after eight hours, authorities said.
Roberto Villa, 34, the coordinator in Palestine and Israel for the Assembly for the Cooperation for Peace (ACPP), was seized on Tuesday while travelling with a French colleague in the south of Gaza.
He was later freed eight hours later.
Villa was said to be tired but unhurt.
He had been to see a project in Jan Yunis when he was kidnapped by armed and masked men.
The French man was left while Villa was bundled into a car.
Sources said Villa, who is from Orense in northern Spain, was seized by two men, who were reported to be foreigners.
Villa has been working in the area for more than two years.
His organisation works for peace, dialogue and tolerance.
It has been involved in projects to improve education, water supplies, and health treatment.
Villa was the second Spaniard kidnapped in the Gaza Strip in a week.
Associated Press photographer Emilio Morenatti was kidnapped and held for 15 hours before being freed.
[Copyright EFE with Expatica]
Subject: Spanish news