Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that a Canadian citizen taken hostage in Libya has been freed.
In a statement to CTVNews.ca, a spokesperson said Global Affairs is “pleased and relieved to confirm the release of a Canadian citizen who had been held captive in Libya since Sept. 19, 2016.”
According to the statement, officials in Rome are in contact with the Canadian to offer assistance including their return home.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry reported that all three hostages, including two Italian citizens, were released Friday night and brought to Italy early on Saturday.
The Canadian has been identified as Frank Poccia and the Italians as Danilo Calonego and Bruno Cacace.
They were on their way to work on the construction of an airport in the southwest of the country when they were abducted by an armed group.
Previous reports said that the three engineers were working for an Italian construction company in Libya and were abducted by a group of armed men who blocked their vehicle.
It is not known who was behind the kidnapping or if a ransom was paid.
Earlier this year, two Canadians were kidnapped in the Philippines. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was emphatic about the government’s position on not paying ransoms that could fund terrorism.
Both men were beheaded by their captors.
With a report from CTV’s Glen McGregor
