Naim 6 Report post Posted August 9, 2013 Dangerous place now. === Turkish Airlines pilots kidnapped in Lebanon Last updated: 1 hour ago Probe under way after abduction of two employees by armed men from bus carrying crew from airport to hotel in Beirut. Armed men kidnapped two pilots working for Turkish Airlines on Beirut's airport road, according to Lebanon's interior minister. Separately, Lebanese sources said four men were involved in Friday's kidnapping, and that seven other passengers on the bus were not targeted. Marwan Charbel, the minister, said: "A kidnapping operation took place at 3:00am targeting a bus carrying several members of a Turkish Airlines crew going from the airport to the hotel," early on Friday morning. "Gunmen kidnapped two passengers from the bus, the pilot and co-pilot." ... READ MORE: http://m.aljazeera.com/story/201389624378510 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakan 2 Report post Posted August 9, 2013 Crew names, Capt. Murat Agca and Murat Akpinar, announced by THY, PR. Some of news thats are source from Lebanon says thats , kidnapped event is maybe connected with kidnapped Lebanese pilgrims to Syria. They were not confirmed is there any connnet with families who Lebanese kidnapped but some of them angry about Turkey goverment's slow negotiation with Syrians about releasing Lebanese Pilgrims. So it seems like political reason. Turkish embassy is interested with event. I'll be write down when new information comes into Turkish newspapers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakan 2 Report post Posted August 9, 2013 additional info: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-turkish-pilots-abducted-in-lebanese-capital.aspx?pageID=238&nID=52248&NewsCatID=352 there is a fresh news in Turkish version of web site; a new group has been undertake the kidnapping events which is name "visitors of imam Riza" that is never heard before in that area. The group can be release the pilots on condition that if Syria send back to 9 Lebanese shiite pilgrims who they were detained near Aleppo while turning back from Iran in last year. Turkish goverment is working on this issue still. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amirul Mazlan 0 Report post Posted August 9, 2013 Damn.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakan 2 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 A fresh news for this topic. Kidnapped Turkish Airlines pilots have been released yesterday night and they bring back to Istanbul with a Qatarairways business jet after 71 days. According by news, after triple diplomacy/negotiation there were three exchange; Central Syrian government release 129 womans who they have been held for along time and delivery them in Turkey borders. Womans came to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and then continued to Qatar. 9 pilgrims also released by Syrian Rebels to Lebanon and then when exchange confirmed Turkish pilots released to Turkish Embassy officers.. There is no more information about hidden negotiations. Some of rumours of Lebanese media says that, Qatar paid 150million$ for 129 Syrian woman but not confirmed by anyone. Turkish pilots said that, "we didn't get any bad threatment, we always safe and healthy during kidnapped session". Pilots welcomed by Turkish PM Erdogan at the airport yesterday night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Smith 1 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Great to hear that all ended well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naim 6 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 More than 70 days in captivity! That's a long time, but great to hear they are okay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakan 2 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 detailed news in here; http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-pilots-held-hostage-in-lebanon-arrive-home-after-secret-diplomacy.aspx?pageID=238&nID=56478&NewsCatID=352 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
