Kidnapped Hungarians released in Syria

Three Hungarian nationals kidnapped in Syria in mid-August have been released, local media reported on Saturday, citing a high official. Janos Hajdu, the head of Hungary's Terrorism Aversion Center, said that all three were safe and in good condition, according to Hungarian News Agency MTI. They will soon be transferred to the Terrorism Aversion Center and will be starting the trip home within a few hours, Hajdu added. Hajdu also acknowledged that a great deal of organization was still necessary and that circumstances were rather chaotic. Kidnapped in Damascus on 13 August, all the three men are middle aged and were formerly police officers. Three Syrian nationals were also kidnapped at the same time as the Hungarians. The Hungarian foreign ministry has asked Hungarians not to travel to Syria and has called on all Hungarians already in that war-torn country to leave immediately.