CALGARY - Reporters Without Borders is confirming that there has been a ransom demand made for a freelance Canadian journalist and colleagues who were kidnapped while working in Somalia.
Amanda Lindhout of Sylvan Lake, Alta., was grabbed two weeks ago along with Australian Nigel Brennan and Somali reporter Abdifatah Mohammed Elmi, who served as their translator.
Katherine Borlongan, executive director with Reporters Without Borders in Montreal, says the organization has received independent confirmation that the kidnappers are seeking $2.5 million US for return of the captives.
She says the group holding Lindhout is the same faction that was responsible for the kidnapping of two Italian aid workers earlier this year.
An official with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canada said the Canadian government's priority is the safety of its citizens and would not comment on the ransom demand.
Calls to Lindhout's family were not returned.
