Captive baby in Mosul in good health, Turkish officials say

Sevil Erkuş ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

REUTERS Photo

A Turkish consulate member’s six-month-old baby, who was among those taken hostage by the Islamic State (IS) in Mosul, is reportedly in good health after treatment by a local doctor.

The doctor was provided  by the militants from a Mosul state hospital, a senior Turkish diplomat who wished to remain anonymous said.

The other people kidnapped at the Turkish consulate on June 11 do not have any health problems, the diplomat added.

Out of the 49 people kidnapped at the consulate, 45 are Turkish nationals, including 31 security forces members, nine consulate personnel, and five family members. Four are locals, according to the diplomat. 

The official also refuted media reports that one member of the consulate personnel was not contracted and said he was "temporarily employed." 

The diplomat stressed that Turkey had not paid any ransom money for the release of the 32 Turkish truck drivers and said the kidnappers had not demanded anything from the Turkish state in return for their release. However, their trucks had been kept by members of a local tribe in Mosul.