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=== Kidnapping === | === Kidnapping === | ||
Tom Uzhunnilal was present on March 4, 2016 when four unidentified gunmen attacked a care home in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, killing 16 people including four [[Missionaries of Charity]] sisters of [[Mother Teresa]]. The attackers, described as [[ISIS]] affiliates or general terrorists, took Uzhunnalil hostage.<ref name="Harris September 2017" /> There were around 80 residents at the home at the time of the attack. Prior to the attack, Uzhunnalil had been working for more than four years as a chaplain at the home in southern Yemen.<ref name=toi>{{cite web|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/abducted-father-toms-release-secured-by-oman/amp_articleshow/60478243.cms|title=Indian priest abducted by ISIS in Yemen rescued: Sushma Swaraj - Times of India|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/09/12/kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-rescued.html|title=Freed from terrorists in Yemen, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil reaches Rome|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vatican-secures-release-of-kidnapped-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil/article19670934.ece|title=Vatican secures release of kidnapped Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil|first=Suhasini|last=Haidar|date=12 September 2017|publisher=|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sushma-swaraj-says-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-abducted-in-yemen-rescued-from-islamic-states-captivity-4035457.html/amp|title=Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil rescued from Islamic State's captivity after Oman's intervention|website=www.firstpost.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/photo-fr-tom-uzhunallil-feared-captive-yemen-emerges-family-relieved-he-alive-46803|title=Photo of Fr Tom Uzhunalil feared captive in Yemen emerges, family relieved he is alive|date=20 July 2016|publisher=}}</ref> Though there were initial news reports that Uzhunnalil was crucified on Good Friday in 2016, the Indian government released an official statement declaring that Uzhunnalil was alive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-crucified-on-good-friday-how-father-tom-uzhunnalil-came-back-from-dead-2545021|title='Crucified' on Good Friday, how Father Tom Uzhunnalil came back from dead - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=12 September 2017|publisher=}}</ref> A ransom video was sent by the kidnappers to the Indian government, demanding ₹64 [[crore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ransom-video-catholic-priest-kidnapped-yemen-isis-islamic-extermists-a6958496.html|title=Ransom video 'demands millions' for kidnapped Catholic priest|date=29 March 2016|publisher=}}</ref> | Tom Uzhunnilal was present on March 4, 2016, when four unidentified gunmen attacked a care home in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, killing 16 people including four [[Missionaries of Charity]] sisters of [[Mother Teresa]]. The attackers, described as [[ISIS]] affiliates or general terrorists, took Uzhunnalil hostage.<ref name="Harris September 2017" /> There were around 80 residents at the home at the time of the attack. Prior to the attack, Uzhunnalil had been working for more than four years as a chaplain at the home in southern Yemen.<ref name=toi>{{cite web|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/abducted-father-toms-release-secured-by-oman/amp_articleshow/60478243.cms|title=Indian priest abducted by ISIS in Yemen rescued: Sushma Swaraj - Times of India|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/09/12/kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-rescued.html|title=Freed from terrorists in Yemen, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil reaches Rome|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vatican-secures-release-of-kidnapped-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil/article19670934.ece|title=Vatican secures release of kidnapped Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil|first=Suhasini|last=Haidar|date=12 September 2017|publisher=|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sushma-swaraj-says-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-abducted-in-yemen-rescued-from-islamic-states-captivity-4035457.html/amp|title=Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil rescued from Islamic State's captivity after Oman's intervention|website=www.firstpost.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/photo-fr-tom-uzhunallil-feared-captive-yemen-emerges-family-relieved-he-alive-46803|title=Photo of Fr Tom Uzhunalil feared captive in Yemen emerges, family relieved he is alive|date=20 July 2016|publisher=}}</ref> Though there were initial news reports that Uzhunnalil was crucified on Good Friday in 2016, the Indian government released an official statement declaring that Uzhunnalil was alive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-crucified-on-good-friday-how-father-tom-uzhunnalil-came-back-from-dead-2545021|title='Crucified' on Good Friday, how Father Tom Uzhunnalil came back from dead - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=12 September 2017|publisher=}}</ref> A ransom video was sent by the kidnappers to the Indian government, demanding ₹64 [[crore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ransom-video-catholic-priest-kidnapped-yemen-isis-islamic-extermists-a6958496.html|title=Ransom video 'demands millions' for kidnapped Catholic priest|date=29 March 2016|publisher=}}</ref> | ||
In May 2017, Father Uzhunnalil made an emotional appeal for a rescue through a five-minute video that was posted on YouTube, asking the Indian government and the Pope to make effort for his release. Uzhunnalil was released into Omani custody on 12 September 2017.<ref name=":0" /> Uzhunnalil thanked [[Qaboos bin Said al Said]], the Sultan of Oman, for his attention in negotiating his release.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Times News Service|title=Indian priest thanks His Majesty after rescue from Yemen|url=http://timesofoman.com/article/116966/Oman/Kidnapped-Indian-priest-Tom-Uzhunnalil-free--mdash-thanks-to-Oman|work=[[Times of Oman]]|date=12 September 2017}}</ref> According to the Indian Union Minister, no ransom was paid for his release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-ransom-paid-for-release-of-father-uzhunnalil-govt/articleshow/60494817.cms|title=No ransom paid for release of Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil: Govt - Times of India|publisher=}}</ref> He returned to India after his release and met with the Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref name=firstpos>http://www.firstpost.com/india/may-god-bless-all-even-my-abductors-father-tom-uzhunnalil-meets-narendra-modi-sushma-swaraj-in-new-delhi-4090151.html</ref> Uzhunnalil was quoted as saying, "May God bless all, even my abductors, for all the goodness in them."<ref name=firstpos/> He clarified that ISIS had given him food and didn't harm him physically.<ref>http://zeenews.india.com/india/isis-gave-me-food-didnt-harm-me-physically-father-tom-uzhunnalil-2046290.html</ref> | In May 2017, Father Uzhunnalil made an emotional appeal for a rescue through a five-minute video that was posted on YouTube, asking the Indian government and the Pope to make effort for his release. Uzhunnalil was released into Omani custody on 12 September 2017.<ref name=":0" /> Uzhunnalil thanked [[Qaboos bin Said al Said]], the Sultan of Oman, for his attention in negotiating his release.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Times News Service|title=Indian priest thanks His Majesty after rescue from Yemen|url=http://timesofoman.com/article/116966/Oman/Kidnapped-Indian-priest-Tom-Uzhunnalil-free--mdash-thanks-to-Oman|work=[[Times of Oman]]|date=12 September 2017}}</ref> According to the Indian Union Minister, no ransom was paid for his release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-ransom-paid-for-release-of-father-uzhunnalil-govt/articleshow/60494817.cms|title=No ransom paid for release of Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil: Govt - Times of India|publisher=}}</ref> He returned to India after his release and met with the Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref name=firstpos>http://www.firstpost.com/india/may-god-bless-all-even-my-abductors-father-tom-uzhunnalil-meets-narendra-modi-sushma-swaraj-in-new-delhi-4090151.html</ref> Uzhunnalil was quoted as saying, "May God bless all, even my abductors, for all the goodness in them."<ref name=firstpos/> He clarified that ISIS had given him food and didn't harm him physically.<ref>http://zeenews.india.com/india/isis-gave-me-food-didnt-harm-me-physically-father-tom-uzhunnalil-2046290.html</ref> | ||