Two European women held captive for more than a year in Niger freed in Libya

Two women - a Swiss and an Austrian – have been freed after more than a year in captivity in Niger and handed over to authorities in the Libyan city of Benghazi. Swiss national Eva Gretzmacher, 76, and Austrian Claudia Abbt, 69, were kidnapped separately in the northern Nigerien city of Agadez in January and April last year. No details have been given about who was holding them or their demands, although some reports have previously linked the kidnapping to Islamic State militants. The circumstances of their release were not disclosed. Libyan officials were reported as saying the women would be handed over to authorities in their respective countries after necessary procedures were completed.