Lebanese TV broadcasts image and audio recording of abducted Turkish pilots

BEIRUT - Anadolu Agency

The Turkish Airlines pilots Murat Akpınar and Murat Ağca were kidnapped on their way to Beirut's airport on Aug. 9. HÜRRİYET photo

Lebanese television station LBC has broadcast on Aug. 29 an audio tape and photograph of the Turkish Airlines pilots abducted in Beirut.

Murat Akpınar and Murat Ağca were kidnapped on Aug. 9 by a group demanding that Turkey use its influence with Syria's rebels to secure the release of the nine Shiite Lebanese citizens kidnapped in Syria.

Akpınar was quoted as saying that their health condition was well, while Ağca expressed his longing for his family, Anadolu Agency reported.

The tape was recorded by the son of one of the kidnapped Lebanese pilgrims in Syria, according to private Turkish broadcaster CNN Türk.

Thirteen people, all family members of nine pilgrims, were filed by a court as part of an investigation launched by the Lebanese police.

Lebanon's interior minister said on Aug. 27 that security officials had got very close to rescuing the two pilots, but failed when the kidnappers changed their location.