Pierre Baldacchino was released from his captors in Libya last night and is expected to return to Malta soon.
The 36-year-old father of two, general manager of St James Hospital in Tripoli, was abducted in the Libyan capital on 15 December.
He was released last night by Rada Deterrence Forces, the same group that had rescued Noel Sciberras some months ago, the government said in a statement. He was being kept in Ghajn Zahra, and the Rada (Deterrence) Force invaded the area where Mr Baldacchino was being held and rescued him.
The Malta Independent last Saturday reported that a five million euro ransom was demanded by the kidnappers, a fee that was confirmed in a video that was uploaded upon the Maltese man's release.
No money was paid for the Maltese man's release, sources said.
In his first comments, Baldacchino said he was kept tied up for the whole time he was held by his abductors. He said he was kidnapped on the highway and kept blindfolded until he was taken to the place where he was kept for a whole week. "It was a bad week," he said, before breaking down in tears as he said he was afraid that he would have not seen his two children again.
He ended by thanking the people who released him.
Jean Claude Muscat, chief executive officer of St James Hospital group in Libya, said that there is enormous relief, adding that Mr Baldacchino seems to be in good health. St James Group and the family found great cooperation from the Maltese and Libyan secret services in their quest to have the Maltese employee released.
Mr Muscat said that Mr Baldacchino was on the highway around Tripoli with two other hospital employees, but only Mr Baldacchono was taken. The company was informed of the abduction by the two other employees.
Mr Baldacchino has been working with the St James Group for the last 10 years. He had been in Libya for three weeks before the abduction.
Mr Baldacchino will be returning to Malta in the coming days after he is questioned by Libyan authorities in a bid to identify who his abductors were. He will most probably also give a statement to the Libyan General Prosecutor.
The Maltese government has made it clear in the past, and continues to make clear, that Libya is not a safe place and that Maltese should not travel there.
In a statement issued later, the St James International said: “We can confirm that Pierre Baldacchino was rescued by the Libyan security forces in a delicate and sensitive operation that was successful. Pierre is in good health. He spoke by phone to his wife and the Maltese security services. Pierre will now be debriefed in Tripoli by the Libyan security services and we are hoping that he will be back in Malta over the coming days.”
Saint James Hospital International said that his release was only possible thanks to the extensive intervention and relentless work conducted by the Libyan and Maltese security services since the abduction took place on Monday 14th December.
“We would like to express our gratitude for the hard work, dedication and relentless efforts of the Libyan and Maltese security services. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the sterling work, help and intervention of the Maltese Government.”
Saint James Hospital International said details of the security operation to save Pierre Baldacchino are still emerging and that it is therefore not in position to provide more details or give further comments at this stage.