U.K. firm resolved Lindhout ordeal

A s the one-year anniversary of their loved ones' kidnapping approached, Amanda Lindhout and Nigel Brennan's families decided someone else needed to take control of the case.

That's when they hired the British security firm AKE Group to end the long kidnapping ordeal. The pair--journalists captured in Somalia and held for ransom until they were released Wednesday after 15 months in captivity --were held in the wartorn country and the families were frustrated.

"The government of Canada and the Government of Australia had the case for 340 days before the families took control and engaged AKE, who were able to bring it to a successful conclusion after 120 days," said intelligence analyst Hanna-Caroline Imig from AKE in an e-mail to the Herald.

"AKE is very happy it was able to assist the families in this matter."

With specialists in kidnapping and ransom in place, the family was also raising money, including father John Lindhout, who remortgaged his home in late October. And as the one-year mark was approaching, the families spoke out together for the first time to say they were working without much help and acting together.

"With little outside support, the families, who have been united as one throughout this horrendous ordeal, continue to do everything and anything to gain the earliest possible release for their loved ones, Amanda and Nigel," they said in August 2009.

Through those efforts, a ransom reported to be between $600,000 US and $1 million was paid and they were set free. Lindhout is now safely in Kenya and reunited with family after an ordeal that saw her trapped in a dark room, tortured and forced to read scripted conversations to her mother, pleading for cash.

On Thursday, Lindhout was taken to a hospital in Nairobi for examination after the long kidnapping.

She has also received an official apology from the Somali transitional government.

The family is asking for privacy and not speaking about the case or ransom payment. Lindhout will fly back home as soon as she is fit enough to do so.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canadians are relieved Lindhout has been released and said she will receive consular support while still abroad.

"Ms. Lindhout has been through an extremely difficult time. We are thankful that she will soon be reunited with her family and friends," said Harper. "The government of Canada was not involved in ransom negotiations."

Harper said government continues to urge Canadians not to travel to Somalia or to leave if already there.

The government won't comment on operational details because it does not want to compromise the safety of kidnapping victims, Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Monette said.

"The government of Canada's policy is very clear: we do not pay ransom nor seek a release of prisoners in exchange for hostages," said Monette. "The government did all that was reasonable and feasible within the constraints of Canadian policy to support the families in securing the release of Ms. Lindhout and Mr. Brennan.

"We worked in close co-ordination with the Australian government, whose policy in this regard is consistent with Canada's," she said.

Former Red Deer MP Bob Mills was in touch with the Lindhout family as he was the member of parliament when she was taken. He said the ordeal was frustrating for them.

"Because of how long it was going on, (they were)sometimes frustrated probably with not knowing the details of what was going on always, frustrated with the kidnappers certainly, and they got a lot of calls and somewhat frustrated in not being able to simply go public and scream to the rooftops," said Mills.

Mills said he did not attend any ransom fundraising events but would not talk about whether he donated money himself.

"I'm glad the Canadian government didn't pay a ransom. I have mixed feelings; I have daughters, too. If it were my daughter, I guess I would look at all options. It wouldn't be for me to judge whether they should or shouldn't (pay a ransom)," said Mills. "It's terrible that there are people out there who make it a business of kidnapping people, but that's the reality."

Also giving the families advice was Liberal consular affairs critic Dan McTeague, who said he told the family to meet with the prime minister and ask Harper to intervene.

"I know for a fact when the prime minister is involved, the office is involved, things tend to get done," said McTeague.

"I'm not suggesting that any lines be crossed here, I mean the prime minister and others would have been right to continue to emphasize the one important point that we do not negotiate, we do not pay ransom, and that we continue to emphasize that Canadians who travel to dangerous places do so at great risk to their own persons."

McTeague said the kidnapping illustrates the importance of travel advisories--Canada does not recommend travel to Somalia--and also that governments are responsible for helping citizens abroad.

"I'm concerned the family has felt the government has let them down," he said. "There's probably good reason why the family should feel that way."

With files from Reuters and

smassinon@theherald.canwest.com